Markus Golden (born March 13, 1991) is an American football outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Missouri and was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Golden previously played for the New York Giants.

 

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Markus Golden was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 13th, 1991, and grew up in the city’s suburbs. He played high school football at Normandy High School. As a senior, he was named All-Conference and All-District. He then attended the University of Missouri, where he played college football for the Tigers from 2009 to 2012.

Markus Golden‘s mother is an African-American woman named Rhonda Golden. Markus Eberhart is his father, and he is of German ancestry. Markus Golden is the youngest member of his family, and he keeps a strong bond with them all, especially his mother. Sherman Golden is the name of his older brother.

Markus Golden received part of his high school education at Affton High School. After graduating from high school, he matriculated and graduated from the University of Missouri, where he participated in several sports activities. He also attended the Hutchinson Community College.

 

CAREER

Markus Golden earned records as a linebacker and running back at Affton High School. He ran for 1,139 yards and 16 touchdowns during his junior season, setting a school record with 168 tackles and 16 sacks.

He ran for 2,264 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior, along with 108 tackles and 10 sacks. As a freshman at Hutchinson, Markus Golden made 90 tackles, including 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, to go with five forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions.

Markus Golden made a positive contribution despite joining Missouri’s squad later than expected due to clearinghouse complications. He played in all 12 games (mainly on special teams), recorded 10 tackles, and ultimately forced one fumble. He also contributed significantly to numerous special teams groups.

Markus Golden led MU ends in 2013 as a junior with 55 tackles on the season, contributing 13 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 8 passes broken. He played roughly 40% of the snaps behind Kony Ealy and Michael Sam.

The 2015 Senior Bowl invitation was accepted by Markus Golden; it was revealed on December 24, 2014. He made an impression on scouts and team representatives during Senior Bowl workouts with his ability to get to the quarterback.

Markus Golden participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on January 24, 2015, and had one tackle for a four-yard loss while playing for Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley‘s South squad, which fell to the North 34-13. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, along with 54 other defensive linemen.

 

NET WORTH

Markus Golden‘s net worth is US$5 million. He signed a four-year, US$5.4 million contract with the Cardinals in 2016 and is currently in the second year of that deal.

In 2018, he earned a base salary of US$1.2 million with a signing bonus of US$400,000 and a roster bonus of US$50,000. His 2019 salary will be US$2.5 million, with a signing bonus of US$400,000 and a roster bonus of $50,000.

 

PERSONAL LIFE

 

2019

On March 14, 2019, Golden signed a one-year deal worth $3,750,000 contract with the New York Giants. In week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Golden recorded 2 sacks on Jameis Winston in the 32-31 win. In week 6 against the New England Patriots, Golden recovered a fumble forced by teammate Lorenzo Carter on Tom Brady and returned the ball for a 42-yard touchdown in the 35-14 loss. He finished the year with 10.0 sacks, the most by any Giants linebacker since Lawrence Taylor in 1990.

2020

On April 27, 2020, the Giants placed the unrestricted free agent tender on Golden, meaning if he remained unsigned by July 22, he could only sign with the Giants for the 2020 season. If he signed with another team, the Giants would have received a compensatory draft pick. On July 22, 2020, Golden’s exclusive signing rights reverted to the Giants. He signed the one-year tender on August 4, 2020

In Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football on October 22, 2020, Golden recorded his first sack of the season on Carson Wentz during the 22–21 loss.