Cardinals Sign Will Hernandez For Offensive Line

In a quest to find a new starter at right guard, familiarity gave the Cardinals a potential answer.

The team signed free agent Will Hernandez to a one-year deal Monday. Hernandez’s head coach in college was Cardinals run game coordinator/offensive line coach Sean Kugler.

Hernandez was a second-round pick of the New York Giants in 2018, following a decorated career at UTEP under Kugler.

The Cardinals’ offensive line has been all but set – aside from right guard. Justin Pugh redid his contract to remain at left guard, next to left tackle D.J. Humphries. Rodney Hudson will play center. Kelvin Beachum is the returning right tackle, although 2020 third-round pick Josh Jones could have the chance to win the job.

Right guard had little stability in 2021. Jones started the season but struggled. Justin Murray, who remains on the roster, would’ve been the starter but missed most of the season with a back injury. Max Garcia, a current free agent, also started there.

Hernandez, the third outside free agent the Cardinals have signed after cornerback Jeff Gladney and inside linebacker Nick Vigil, now should take the job. He has started 56 of 62 games in four seasons, including all 17 games for the Giants last season.

More to come on azcardinals.com.