How Walter Payton Award nominee Kelvin Beachum is ’empowering’ his young teammates to lead with a ‘competitive spirit’

COMPETING at a high level isn’t the only important responsibility for a top NFL player.

For Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum, training the next generation of stars to be leaders is just as important.

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Kelvin Beachum walks off the field following an Arizona Cardinals gameCredit: Getty

Beachum celebrates following a Cardinals winCredit: Getty

Beachum is a 14-year veteran of the NFL and has spent the last six seasons of his career as an Arizona Cardinal.

He is a crucial part of the Cardinals team, and is this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

Beachum has gone through his career as an incredibly underrated, overlooked talent after entering the league as the No. 248 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

As he reaches the back end of his career, Beachum is staying in the background with his leadership style in the Cardinals locker room.

While he isn’t loud with his effort, he is doing important work.

“There are many players who are going to be franchise leaders for this organization, how can I help serve and support you as you’re continuing to grow?” Beachum told The U.S. Sun.

“For me it’s not so much this rah rah in the front leading the team, it’s more of this quiet leadership that’s done behind the scenes where I’m just continuing to support and be a support effort and a sounding board for the young guys that are going to be leading this organization for the next decade or so.”

Beachum pointed out players like Paris Johnson Jr, the Cardinals’ first-round offensive lineman draft pick in 2023, that he has taken under his wing with this leadership style.

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He also shared a few young players that he feels are starting to take over leading the Cardinals locker room in a way he appreciates.

“I think Trey McBride, our tight end, is taking on some of those capabilities and responsibilities,” he said.

“I think Michael Wilson is doing that in that regard, finding ways to be able to serve his teammates and putting himself and the team in great situations.

“So I think there are a couple guys on this roster that have really embodied some of the things that I like to see. And they’ve done it on their own, and for me it’s just the ability to see, and push, and empower them to keep doing it.”

At this point in the season, the Cardinals are currently 3-12 and out of a playoff spot.

However, Beachum is finding positives in the Cardinals roster for the team to take into 2026.

“The biggest thing at this point in the juncture is that there is still a competitive spirit,” he said.

“Just finish strong.”

Beachum is the Cardinals’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nomineeCredit: Getty

Despite the rough 2025 season, the Cardinals have a lot of young bright spots that can make a big impact in the future.

The future is still hazy for Beachum, whose contract with the Cardinals is expiring at the end of the season.

While he is now 36 years old, he won’t yet commit to retiring after this season.

“You know, I really haven’t tried to think about those things just yet,” he said.

“I wanna be able to focus on the last games and then during the offseason take the time to consider what needs to happen there.”

The Cardinals play two more games this season, one against the Cincinnati Bengals and one against the Los Angeles Rams.

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