Adrian

Wilson

Wilson first joined the front office in 2016 when he joined the Cardinals organization as a professional scout, quickly vaulting the ranks to land his first front office role as Vice President of Player Personnel in 2021. He would serve in that role for two seasons, culminating in a co-interim general manager role to end the 2022 season. He now takes the same role for the rebuilding Panthers.

He also is hearing that Byron Leftwich would be the head coach in this scenario. Thursday has turned into quite the public power play for the Jags coaching job, with Vic Fangio coming in, Leftwich getting an interview request from the Saints, and so on. It appears that Leftwich wants his own personnel guy rather than embattled Jaguars GM Trent Baalke. This process could take a little while to unravel. This is the first we’ve seen of Wilson linked to the Jaguars job, though he did also interview for the Giants GM job before that went to Joe Schoen.

The former All-Pro safety joined the Cardinals as a scout in 2016, and has quickly risen up the ranks to become Arizona’s director of pro scouting and, in 2021, VP of pro personnel. The Giants appear to be casting a wide net as they attempt to find a successor for the disastrous Dave Gettleman regime.

Wilson is having a standout season for Dennis Green and is an up and coming IDP star. 33 tackles, one forced fumble, and an interception thus far.

It’s on top of his $6.5 million salary, and a lot to pay for a 32-year-old “box” safety. Pro Football Focus did grade Wilson as the second best cover safety in football this past season. He had 65 tackles and one interception.

Wilson still had $17 million remaining on the $36.5 million contract signed back in 2009, but the final two years will be torn up. He will now receive a $1.5 million signing bonus and $1.5 million 2012 base salary, for a total pay cut of $3.5 million. The new deal gives the team cap relief while allowing Wilson to finish his career as Arizona’s defensive leader after a bounce-back season while playing through a partially torn biceps muscle in 2011.

Losing Wilson, the best member of the Arizona secondary, would be huge. The team will update his condition on Monday.

The knee injury he suffered last weekend wasn’t serious.

Rob Housler will pick up extra snaps this week with Heap sitting out. The loss of Wilson gives Michael Vick and the Eagles offense a matchup upgrade. Kevin Kolb’s wife has yet to go into labor, so he’s drawing a second straight start. Also inactive for Arizona: RB William Powell, WR LaRon Byrd, OG Senio Kelemete and OT Pat McQuistan.

Wilson was limited in Friday’s practice, but there’s been no indication that he won’t be available. In addition to Wilson, Todd Heap (questionable, knee) is tentatively expected to play against the Eagles.