Ex-NFL star-turned-exec arrested on domestic violence charges

Former Arizona Cardinals star-turned-NFL executive Adrian Wilson was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona on three charges of domestic violence, according to the Scottsdale Police Department. 

The 44-year-old, according to police records, was charged with intentional assault causing physical injury, damaging property between $250 and $2,000, and disorderly conduct-disruptive behavior or fighting. 

Although the records did not list the date of the arrest, Wilson posted bond on June 1. 

Wilson will return to court on July 16 for a virtual case management conference. 

The former safety played in the NFL for 13 years. Wilson played for the Cardinals for 12 seasons after getting drafted as a third-rounder in 2001. Following his release in 2013, he joined the New England Patriots that next season. 

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Wilson went on to join the Chicago Bears training camp in 2014 but got cut before the season began.  

After closing his days as a player, Wilson joined the Cardinals’ front office as a regional scout in 2015. He then got promoted to director of pro scouting in 2019 and vice president of pro scouting in 2021. 

In search for a bigger role, Wilson interviewed to become the New York Giants general manager in 2022 and was linked to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ GM vacancy. However, he did not receive offers for neither position. 

Remaining in the Grand Canyon State, Wilson was named the Cardinals’ co-interim general manager late in the 2022 season after Steve Keim took a leave of absence for health-related reasons. 

Wilson then interviewed for the Cardinal’s GM opening early in 2023 but had no luck for the promotion. 

He left the Cardinals in February 2023 to become the Carolina Panthers’ vice president of player personnel – a job recently left just 18 months after his arrival. 

‘Adrian Wilson will not continue in his position as vice president of player personnel for the Carolina Panthers,’ a team spokesperson said, per ESPN. ‘Consistent with our organizational policy on employee matters, we will have no further comment.’