Did Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen do something to tee off Steve Smith?
The former NFL All-Pro wide receiver, now an NFL Network analyst, mercilessly ripped Rosen during a broadcast Friday. Rosen, the Cardinals' No. 1 pick a year ago, had been criticized by some for unfollowing the Cardinals on social media after they drafted QB Kyler Murray on Thursday with the No. 1 pick.
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While the Cardinals are reportedly "close" on a deal to trade Rosen to the Dolphins, Smith and an NFL Network panel debated Rosen's fate, and Smith went off.
"You are replaceable … so now you're mad because they brought some competition in here, so you're going to try to take your ball?" Smith asked rhetorically. "Well, first of all son, it's not your damn ball to take anyway.
"You just keep playing with your phone and you keep showing us what the stigma of … who you were at UCLA, now you've brought it to the professional level. When things don't go your way, you're going to cry in the corner. But guess what, they're going to ship your a— somewhere else, and you're going to cry and be their problem.
"This is a man's game, be a man, and go against that man one on one … do your deal. Ain't nobody giving you nothing.
I LOVE STEVE SMITH 😂
— Barstool SC (@BarstoolSC) April 26, 2019
Josh Rosen is dead, and by god it is an LA-bred @BarstoolUtes that has killed him pic.twitter.com/L92wNakJvW
When it was suggested Rosen might be on the Cardinals' roster for training camp, Smith went off again.
"You know why he won't be on the roster? He ain't got enough heart to be on that roster," Smith said. "He got to go out there and work his a— off. He don't want to work. He wants something given to him."
While some on social media applauded Smith's harsh remarks, others thought he was out of line.
Thoughts3
— Peter King (@peter_king) April 26, 2019
If Steve Smith got picked in first round, and after that year a new coach said Smith is my guy, my starter, and then 2 months later drafted someone to replace Steve Smith, would Steve say, “I’ve got to man up+beat out the new guy?”
Doubt it. He’d be bitter. Justifiably.
This felt a little over the top. I respect Steve’s work to become a thoughtful host, but everyone has prejudices. And people who were ordained early on (five-star recruits, first-round picks), who grew up in comfortable circumstances are never going to be his style. https://t.co/eaBE2G2kKU
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) April 26, 2019
Rosen, selected No. 10 overall by the Cardinals last year, struggled last season with an undermanned Arizona offense, passing for 2,278 yards (5.8 yards per attempt) with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 13 starts.