After Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Dolphins, Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd was allegedly found sleeping at the wheel of his car and was charged with two counts of DUI on Monday morning. On Wednesday, the Cardinals cut the fifth-year wideout.
The decision was initially reported by Darren Urban, who works for the team's website.
.@AZCardinals have cut WR Michael Floyd. Coach Bruce Arians about to address the media at the end of today's practice.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) December 14, 2016
After practice, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians addressed the media, but he refused to answer questions about Floyd, which is a rare move for a coach who typically doesn't shy away from saying what's on his mind.
Arians says he won't talk about roster moves. Won't take questions
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) December 14, 2016
First time I remember Arians declining comment on something
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) December 14, 2016
Floyd, a first-round pick in 2012, was in the final year of his contract. He entered the year with high hopes after recording four straight productive seasons to begin his career. From 2012-15, Floyd averaged roughly 52 receptions, 823 yards, and five touchdowns per year. He appeared to be poised to cash in with a lucrative contract after this season.
But his contract year couldn't have gone any worse. He struggled with consistency (along with the majority of the team), catching 33 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns. And then there's what happened early Monday morning, as our John Breech wrote:
Authorities found Floyd slumped over at the wheel of his car, which was running, at 2:48 a.m. on Monday. The Cardinals receiver was then charged with two counts of DUI, one count of obstructing a roadway and one count of failure to obey a police officer.
Floyd was released from jail just hours after being taken into custody.
If he's found guilty, the NFL could suspend him. So, it will undoubtedly affect his free agency in a few months. This is Floyd's second DUI in the past five years.
Still, Floyd's season might not be over. A team could choose to scoop him up off waivers.
If a team claims Michael Floyd on waivers, it would owe him $861,176 for final two weeks of season, or 2/17ths of salary of $7.32 million.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 14, 2016
As for the Cardinals, their playoff hopes are non-existent, so cutting him made financial sense.
The Cardinals didn't make a statement about conduct as much as they saved $800,000 on a cat they weren't going to re-sign anyway. #PR101
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) December 14, 2016
John Brown and J.J. Nelson should get more targets now that Floyd is gone.