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Emari Demercado Emari Demercado Will not be tendered as RFA
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 1:23 PM
The Cardinals will not tender an offer to restricted free agent Demercado prior to the start of the new league year next Wednesday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
Analysis: Arizona seemingly doesn't deem Demercado worth the value of the low RFA tender at $3.52 million. Demercado appeared in 13 regular-season games last season, rushing 44 times for 312 scoreless yards. He added 13 catches for 101 yards and one touchdown on 20 targets in the passing game. Demercado could still be brought back at a lower cost, but he'll be free to test the open market. |
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Kyler Murray Kyler Murray Posts goodbye to Arizona
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 3:02 PM
Murray (foot) shared a goodbye message to the Cardinals organization on his personal social media accounts Tuesday.
Analysis: Murray's goodbye message comes in the wake of reports, such as from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, that the 28-year-old quarterback is expected to be released by Arizona. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the transaction will occur on the start of the new league year March 11, barring the materialization of a last-second trade. Murray's contract guarantees $36.8 million owed to him by the Cardinals in 2026, and were he to remain on the roster by March 15 another $19.5 million in guarantees would trigger. Murray missed the final 12 games of 2025 due to a foot sprain, and though he played all 17 regular-season contests in 2024, he also missed a combined 15 regular-season games between 2022 and 2023. As a free agent, the two-time Pro Bowler will work to secure a new landing spot where he can make the most of his change of scenery. |
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Kyler Murray Kyler Murray Likely done in Arizona
Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 12:34 PM
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Cardinals will "likely" release Murray (foot) barring a last-second trade.
Analysis: Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort relayed Tuesday that "all options are on the table" for Murray and the team's options at quarterback, per Jayne Bardahl of The Athletic. However, it appears as though Murray will not be part of Arizona's future plans. A separation could happen shortly after the new league year starts March 11, as the 28-year-old quarterback would be due a guaranteed roster bonus of $19.5 million for 2027 if he were still on the Cardinals' active roster by March 16. Murray missed the last 12 games of the 2025 regular season due to a foot sprain. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions while turning 29 carries into 173 yards and a score across five games last year. |
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Kyler Murray Kyler Murray Future with Cardinals TBD
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 5:13 PM
On Tuesday, GM Monti Ossenfort said that "all options are on the table" regarding Murray and the Cardinals' future at quarterback, Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Per Ossenfort, "as it pertains to that position -- as it pertains to every position on our team -- we're going to look at every avenue to improve, and we're going to continue to go through our process with that." For now, the Cardinals have Murray, Jacoby Brissett and Kedon Slovis under contract, but at this stage, the status of Murray -- who played in just five games last season after suffering a foot injury in Week 5 -- remains unclear. Important context on the front is due to arrive in mid-March, given that if Murray is on Arizona's active roster on the fifth day of the upcoming league year, he'd be due a guaranteed roster bonus for 2027 of $19.5 million, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. |
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Pharaoh Brown Pharaoh Brown Logs seven appearances in 2025
Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 10:23 PM
Brown reeled in both of his targets for one yard in seven regular-season appearances in 2025.
Analysis: Brown spent the offseason and preseason with the Dolphins before getting released during roster cut downs in late August. He then joined the Cardinals in mid-October after TEs Tip Reiman (ankle) and Travis Vokolek (neck) landed on injured reserve. Arizona used its three elevations on him before he was signed to the active roster for good in early December, but he remained well behind Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins and Josiah Deguara in the pecking order for offensive snaps. Brown is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so it remains to be seen where he'll be plying his wares in 2026. |
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Josiah Deguara Josiah Deguara Records rare TD in 2025
Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 10:21 PM
Deguara secured three of five targets for 21 yards and one touchdown in 12 regular-season contests in 2025.
Analysis: Deguara was one of seven Cardinals to record a receiving TD this past season, which marked his first end-zone visit since he was a member of the Packers in 2021. However, he never garnered a snap share greater than 18 percent in any of his appearances and enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, so he may need to prove himself elsewhere after spending the last two years in Jacksonville (2024) and Arizona. |
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Elijah Higgins Elijah Higgins Has career year in 2025
Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 10:20 PM
Higgins caught 30 of 37 targets for 301 yards and no touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Higgins set new career highs in all major receiving categories but touchdowns in 2025, his third season as a pro, but most of his output occurred during a 7-91-0 outburst on eight targets in Week 16 against the Falcons. Otherwise, he didn't find much sway in the Cardinals offense behind No. 1 TE Trey McBride, reaching 30 receiving yards in a game only three other times. Along with McBride and Tip Reiman (ankle), Higgins is under contract with Arizona in 2026, meaning he'll remain a tertiary target in the offense with WRs Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison (foot) also still on board. |
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Jalen Brooks Jalen Brooks Notches three catches in 2025
Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 10:17 PM
Brooks tallied three catches (on six targets) for 51 yards and 10 kick returns for 254 yards in five regular-season appearances in 2025.
Analysis: With all of Marvin Harrison (foot), Greg Dortch (chest) and Zay Jones (Achilles) being placed on injured reserve in the second half of the campaign, Brooks received regular run over the final five games but didn't do much with the increased workload as WR Michael Wilson and TE Trey McBride dominated the attention of QB Jacoby Brissett. Brooks is one of seven wide receivers under contract with the Cardinals in 2026, so he at least should be in the mix for reps along with Xavier Weaver behind Harrison and Wilson, barring other additions at the position this offseason. |
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Xavier Weaver Xavier Weaver Gets more run in second season
Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 10:15 PM
Weaver compiled seven catches (on 13 targets) for 67 yards and two kick returns for 51 yards in 10 regular-season contests in 2025.
Analysis: Prior to Week 11, Weaver earned a scant 22 offensive snaps in four appearances, but in the six games in which he was available after that point, his weekly snap shares ranged from 44 to 78 percent. He played second fiddle, at best, in the receiving corps behind Michael Wilson, who emerged as the Cardinals' No. 1 WR in the second half of the campaign while Marvin Harrison battled first a heel injury and then a foot issue, but Weaver made only minimal marks in box scores. A 2024 undrafted free agent, he heads into the offseason as one of seven wide receivers under contract for Arizona, but considering two of those are Wilson and Harrison, Weaver doesn't have much upward mobility in this offense. |
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Greg Dortch Greg Dortch No action after Week 13
Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 10:12 PM
Dortch (chest) hauled in 29 off 33 targets for 206 yards and three touchdowns, notched seven carries for 15 yards and another TD and turned 31 kick returns into 811 yards and 15 more punt returns for 185 yards in 12 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Dortch didn't see any game action after Week 13 due to a chest injury, spending the rest of the campaign on injured reserve, but he served as the Cardinals' primary returner and a regular option at wide receiver before that point. Overall, he recorded a new career high in touchdowns with four and also reached 200 receiving yards for a fourth straight season. Dortch is a pending unrestricted free agent, so he should handle return duties, at least, wherever he lands this offseason. |
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Corey Kiner Corey Kiner Sparse usage as rookie
Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 10:10 PM
Kiner tallied 12 carries for 58 yards and gathered in two of three targets for 15 yards without scoring a touchdown in four regular-season appearances in 2025. He also had one kick return for 22 yards.
Analysis: In a backfield that lost all of James Conner (foot), Trey Benson (knee) and Bam Knight (ankle) for the season at various points, Michael Carter (333 rushing yards) and Emari Demercado (312) ended up leading the Cardinals' ground game overall, and Kiner himself got some run over the last four games after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent back in May. Kiner maxed out at 14 offensive snaps in Week 18, and he enters the offseason as one of three running backs (also, Conner and Benson) under contract with Arizona for 2026. |
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Ihmir Smith-Marsette Ihmir Smith-Marsette Signs with Arizona
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 12:15 PM
The Cardinals signed Smith-Marsette to a reserve/future deal Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Smith-Marsette spent the 2025 season as a member of the Giants' practice squad and was not elevated for any games. The return specialist played in 15 games for the Giants during the 2024 campaign, logging 381 kick return yards and 228 punt return yards over 135 special-teams snaps. |
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Emari Demercado Emari Demercado Closes season with quiet showing
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 9:28 AM
Demercado rushed twice for 29 yards and caught his lone target for 28 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Rams. He finished the season with 44 rushes for 312 yards, adding 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 targets across 13 games.
Analysis: Demercado had an underwhelming 2025 campaign despite being given more opportunities than expected when both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) were lost early in the season. The third-year running back shared backfield duties with Michael Carter and Bam Knight for most of the season, limiting his fantasy production. Demercado will enter the 2026 offseason as a restricted free agent, giving the Cardinals the opportunity to match any potential offers from other teams in free agency. With Knight also set to become a restricted free agent and Carter becoming an unrestricted free agent, it remains to be seen how this backfield will shake out and if Demercado will be back with the team next season. |
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Michael Carter Michael Carter Minimal production in season finale
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 8:35 AM
Carter rushed seven times for 18 yards, adding three catches for 21 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Rams. He finished the season with 92 rushes for 333 yards and one touchdown, adding 33 receptions for 267 yards on 45 targets.
Analysis: Despite an uneven 2025 campaign, Carter finished the season as the team leader in carries, rushing yards, targets, receptions and receiving yards. The 26-year-old was forced into a bigger role in the backfield when teammates James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) were lost early in the season. Alongside Emari Demercado and Bam Knight, Carter handled backfield duties for a significant part of the season, allowing him to show off his abilities ahead of the 2026 offseason, in which he will become an unrestricted free agent. Though it is unclear if he'll be back with Arizona, the North Carolina product has likely done enough to garner interest from teams around the NFL as a versatile rotational player out of the backfield. |
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Jacoby Brissett Jacoby Brissett Career year in Arizona
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 8:48 PM
Brissett completed 22 of 31 pass attempts for 243 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while gaining 19 yards and losing a fumble on three carries in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Brissett rallied Arizona in the second half with touchdown passes to WR Michael Wilson and TE Josiah Deguara to give his club a 20-16 lead. That woke up Matthew Stafford and the Rams' offense, who then responded with three touchdowns to hand the Cardinals their ninth-straight loss to end the year. Brissett was one of the few bright spots for Arizona in a forgettable 2025 campaign. The journeyman backup took over for an injured and struggling Kyler Murray back in Week 6 and played so well that head coach Jonathan Gannon named Brissett the starter for the rest of the year. The 32-year-old Brissett became a hot fantasy add while posting career highs in passing yards (3,367) and touchdown passes (23) across 12 starts. Both Murray and Brissett are under contract with the Cardinals for the 2026 season, so it will be interesting to see how the franchise handles its QB situation this upcoming offseason. |
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Trey McBride Trey McBride Finishes second in NFL with 126 catches
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 7:49 PM
McBride had seven receptions on eight targets for 65 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Fresh off setting a new league record for catches by a tight end in a single season last week, McBride shifted his focus on Sunday to the league lead in receptions for all position players. Arizona's star tight end entered Week 18 in a tie for first place with Rams wideout Puka Nacua, but it was the latter who finished the contest with more receptions and first-place honors. McBride's 126 grabs across 17 starts were still good enough to earn second place, finishing one catch ahead of Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase this regular season. The 25-year-old McBride corrected the red-zone woes that plagued him early in his career (six TDs in first three seasons) with a whopping 11 trips to the end zone in 2025. The breakout fantasy star accomplished all of this while catching passes from two different starting quarterbacks, so expect McBride to remain productive in 2026 whether it is Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett or another signal-caller under center for Arizona. |
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Michael Wilson Michael Wilson First 1,000-yard season of career
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 7:14 PM
Wilson had five receptions on eight targets for 99 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: WR Marvin Harrison was officially placed on IR after reinjuring his heel in Week 17, affording Wilson the opportunity to ball out in his teammate's absence like he already had on multiple occasions this season. The 25-year-old Wilson experienced a true breakout campaign after reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his three-year career. A significant portion of Stanford product's 78-1,006-7 line came in games that either QB Jacoby Brissett started or Harrison missed due to injury, so Wilson's 2026 outlook will hinge greatly on how committed the franchise will remain to the underperforming duo of Harrison and Kyler Murray. Wilson will enter next season playing on the fourth year of what now feels like an undervalued rookie contract. |
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Steven Sims Steven Sims Elevated for Week 18
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 3:47 PM
The Cardinals elevated Sims from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams.
Analysis: Sims is set to play his third consecutive game for the Cardinals. The 28-year-old is likely to serve as the Cardinals' kick and punt returner for Sunday's game, as he has logged 187 kick return yards and five punt return yards over the last two contests. The wide receiver also has upside as the fifth receiving option behind Michael Wilson, Xavier Weaver, Jalen Brooks and tight end Trey McBride. |
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Marvin Harrison Marvin Harrison Officially shifts to IR
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 2:53 PM
The Cardinals placed Harrison (foot) on injured reserve Friday.
Analysis: Harrison's placement on IR is no surprise, given that he was ruled out for Week 18 on Wednesday by head coach Jonathan Gannon. The second-year pro is dealing with a foot injury suffered during Arizona's loss to the Bengals in Week 17, but there have not yet been any indications that the issue is anything that could impact his participation in the team's offseason program. Across a disappointing sophomore campaign in which injuries limited him to just 12 regular-season appearances, Harrison secured 41 of 73 targets for 608 yards and four touchdowns. |
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Marvin Harrison Marvin Harrison Ruled out for Week 18
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 10:55 AM
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday that Harrison (foot) will not suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale on the road against the Rams, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Harrison will miss Arizona's final game of the 2025 campaign due to a foot injury suffered versus Cincinnati in Week 17, a contest in which he played just 33 percent of offensive snaps and failed to secure his only target. That wraps a disappointing second professional season for the 2024 first-round pick, who concludes the year with a 41-608-4 receiving line on 73 targets across 12 regular-season appearances. Prior to his current foot issue, a heel injury limited Harrison to just three appearances after Week 10, across which he combined for just seven catches for 83 yards. Harrison fading down the stretch has paved the way for WR Michael Wilson to emerge as a legitimate playmaker alongside TE Trey McBride, both of whom will will remain the clear top targets for QB Jacoby Brissett in the Cardinals' regular-season finale against a Los Angeles squad that may have nothing to play for in terms of playoff seeding should the 49ers defeat the Seahawks on Saturday night. |
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