NFL 2018: Biggest obstacle each team must overcome

Arizona Cardinals: Making sure Bradford stays healthy

Losing Carson Palmer to retirement was a tough adjustment for the Arizona Cardinals since the team was already facing pressure heading into 2018 after missing out on the playoffs during the previous two seasons. And while the team hopes the selection of Josh Rosen ends up paying off in the long run, the Cardinals felt it was important to sign Sam Bradford in free agency to give them a better chance of competing this season while Rosen learns from the veteran as a rookie.

With that being said, many questioned the decision by Arizona to pay Bradford all that money (one-year, $20 million) since he doesn’t have the best track record of staying healthy. Even last season when he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings, the team tried to make it clear early on that Bradford’s knee injury was only minor, and he would be ready to go in no time, which was far from the case.

Bradford may not want to hear it, but 2018 could be his final chance to prove himself worthy of a starting job in the NFL when looking at all of the teams that end up deciding to move on from the former No. 1 pick. If Bradford can stay healthy, the Cardinals may have an actual shot of being a surprise contender in the NFC.