A.Q. Shipley Named Arizona Cardinals Radio Color Analyst, Replacing Ron Wolfley

Former Arizona Cardinals center A.Q. Shipley is stepping back onto the gridiron—this time armed with a headset instead of shoulder pads. The franchise announced that the 38-year-old has been hired as the new color analyst for the Cardinals Radio Network, filling the coveted seat vacated by longtime broadcaster Ron Wolfley, who retired earlier this month. Shipley, a seven-year Cardinal and fan favorite during the Bruce Arians era, will pair with play-by-play voice Dave Pasch beginning with Arizona’s first preseason game in August. The move instantly injects a fresh perspective into the booth: Shipley logged more than 110 NFL games at center, snapping for quarterbacks such as Carson Palmer, Andrew Luck and, most recently, Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That blend of locker-room insight and offensive-line savvy should resonate with listeners looking for X-and-O breakdowns in real time. Why the Cardinals chose Shipley Team president Michael Bidwill praised Shipley’s “high football IQ and natural charisma,” noting that coaches and players routinely trusted him to translate complicated blocking schemes into digestible terms. Those communication skills were on display when Shipley appeared as a guest analyst for ESPN’s “NFL Live” and served as an assistant offensive line coach in Tampa after a career-ending neck injury in 2020. According to Bidwill, the front office had Shipley on a short list of potential successors once Wolfley announced his departure. Impact on the broadcast Wolfley’s energetic style became a Sunday soundtrack for Valley fans over the past 20 seasons. Shipley plans to retain that passion while adding a lineman’s vantage point rarely highlighted on radio. Expect deeper dives into protection calls, blitz recognition and rushing-lane design—elements casual fans often miss but gamblers and fantasy-football die-hards crave. Early rehearsals with Pasch reportedly featured rapid-fire telestrator sessions and lively banter that mirrored Shipley’s own locker-room storytelling. What listeners can expect Week 1 • Pre-snap decoder: Shipley says he will identify coverage shells and defensive fronts before the ball is snapped, giving fans a “quarterback’s ear” in their earbuds. • Trench talk: Look for on-air mini-clinics about leverage, hand placement and combo blocks—teaching moments that illuminate why a play busts or breaks for 40 yards. • Player interviews: Shipley’s existing relationships inside the Cardinals’ facility should translate into mid-week hits with rising stars like Paris Johnson Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr. • Behind-the-scenes anecdotes: From Arians’ no-risk-it-no-biscuit meetings to Brady’s film-study marathons, Shipley’s story vault is extensive. Reaction around the league Current Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon applauded the hire, calling Shipley “the ultimate bridge between coaching staff and fan base.” Former teammate Larry Fitzgerald chimed in via social media, predicting Shipley will become “appointment radio” by midseason. National outlets also framed the move as part of a broader trend of younger former linemen entering media roles, citing the immediate success of Joe Thomas (NFL Network) and Geoff Schwartz (SiriusXM). Western Pennsylvania roots highlighted Pittsburgh-born Shipley starred at Moon Area High School before anchoring Penn State’s offensive line, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. His small-town backstory resonates with blue-collar Cardinals fans and could expand Arizona’s radio footprint in the Rust Belt, where Shipley’s name recognition remains high. Local Pittsburgh station KDKA-FM has already negotiated to syndicate select Cardinals games this fall, eyeing Steelers bye weeks as prime slots. What it means for Arizona’s 2025 narrative The Cardinals enter training camp with a rebuilt offensive line, a healthy Kyler Murray and rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. Shipley’s presence could serve as a weekly referendum on the trenches—Arizona’s most scrutinized unit after surrendering 46 sacks last season. If the line improves, Shipley’s analysis will amplify that storyline; if struggles persist, his candor will keep coaches accountable. Key SEO takeaway With keywords such as “A.Q. Shipley,” “Arizona Cardinals radio analyst,” “NFL broadcast booth,” and “Ron Wolfley retirement,” this development intersects sports media, franchise history and on-field strategy—all of which are hot search terms as preseason approaches. Bottom line A.Q. Shipley’s transition from center to commentator adds an authentic locker-room voice to Cardinals coverage and could reshape how fans consume Sunday football on air. Expect sharper breakdowns, insider anecdotes and a renewed emphasis on line play—the foundation of any winning offense.