Will Hernandez

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Will Hernandez's value math nets a C+ Contract Value Index — placing the deal in a clear band relative to the league median at guard. At $2.17M AAV on a one-year deal, Hernandez occupies the lower tier of starter compensation, a reflection of both his eight seasons in the league and his C- performance grade that signals below-average execution. His 2025 season consisted of 7 games, limited production that underscores why sentiment around him has cooled to a D+ — he simply hasn't delivered the impact expected of an established veteran, leaving the Cardinals with minimal enthusiasm about his role going forward. At 30 years old in the established veteran phase of his career, Hernandez no longer has upside trajectory to lean on; the contract acknowledges he's a depth piece and rotational starter, not a franchise cornerstone, which is realistic given his lack of Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition over nearly a decade. The one-year structure offers the Cardinals flexibility to move on without dead cap consequences, a practical feature when roster direction moves include depth signings elsewhere along the offensive line rather than centralized investment in proven interior blocking. Moving into 2026, Hernandez faces the precarious position of the mediocre veteran: job security is never guaranteed when performance doesn't justify above-market dollars, and with Arizona in evaluation mode, he's effectively playing for his next contract.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Will's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Will Hernandez's performance grade lands at C-, capturing how he stacks up at G this season. His positioning squarely in the middle tier of the position reflects a veteran presence who executes baseline assignment football but lacks the explosiveness or technical consistency to elevate Arizona's offensive line into above-average territory. With eight seasons of NFL experience and a current-season appearance in seven games, Hernandez occupies the role of a depth-to-rotational starter — the kind of player who keeps the unit functioning without generating much film study excitement from opposing defensive coordinators. The C- grade aligns with his modest $2.2M annual contract value, a pricing that signals organizational view of him as an interchangeable depth piece rather than a cornerstone lineman, and his complete absence of Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition over his tenure confirms he's never risen above that threshold. What makes his 2026 outlook precarious is the gap between his "steady Eddie" reputation and the performance tape itself — fans and beat writers expected reliable veteran competence, but the F-trending grade suggests he's become exploitable rather than dependable, potentially exposing him as a liability if Arizona's roster ambitions demand better interior line play. Recent Cardinals signings of offensive lineman Chase Bisontis and other positional additions hint at internal evaluation that Hernandez's veteran status alone may no longer be sufficient, leaving him in a holding pattern where job security rests on whether Arizona views him as worth retaining or merely a placeholder until a more impactful replacement materializes.

How Will Compares at the Position

Will Hernandez ranks 63rd of 172 graded gs by performance. That slots Will between Mike Jordan (C) just ahead and Sean Rhyan (C-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Will Hernandez finds himself in NFL purgatory — the dreaded zone where eight-year veterans generate neither praise nor outrage, just shoulder shrugs from Cardinals fans and media who view him as organizational depth rather than a building block. The D+ sentiment stems from a perfect storm of mediocrity: zero career sacks allowed sounds impressive until you realize guards rarely face elite pass rushers, his $2.2M AAV screams "replacement-level starter," and the complete absence of Pro Bowl buzz over nearly a decade signals he's never been more than adequate. What's particularly damning is how his F performance grade exposes the gap between his steady-Eddie reputation and actual on-field impact — fans expected a reliable veteran presence, but the tape shows a player who's been exposed as Arizona's weak link up front. The narrative could flip if Hernandez suddenly anchored a dominant ground game or became a key figure in developing young linemen, but those storylines require him to exceed expectations rather than simply meet them. Right now, Hernandez embodies the NFL's most unforgiving space: too experienced to excuse poor play, too unimpressive to generate genuine support, leaving him as a placeholder until Arizona finds someone better.