After winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, offensive guard Evan Mathis will return to the NFC.
The former Alabama standout and free agent signed a one-year, $6 million contract with Arizona Wednesday, per James Brady of SB Nation and NFL Network’s Albert Breer.
Per source, G Evan Mathis has agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cardinals. He takes Jonathan Cooper's spot on the roster.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 16, 2016
Mathis, 34, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2013-14) and three-time All-Pro guard via Pro Football Focus (2011-13).
He guided Broncos’ running back C.J. Anderson to 90 yards and a touchdown in Denver’s 24-10 victory over Carolina in Super Bowl 50 back on Feb. 7.
With Jonathan Cooper gone to the New England Patriots, Arizona needed to fill a spot on the right side of its offensive line. Mathis brings a hard-nosed style in the ground attack and serves a good pass protector. He will have a cluster of backs running behind him, including second-year player David Johnson. He totaled 581 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 125 attempts in 2015.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
