Former Arizona Cardinal Markus Golden on retiring, Cardinals’ future
Former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden attended the Verizon Super Bowl Fanfest at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 9, 2025.
NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday, March 12, but that doesn’t mean that the league is at a standstill.
Speculation and rumors are swirling around the league, while news of some contract extension agreements, trade requests and player releases are already being reported.
What will the Arizona Cardinals do in NFL free agency? What could they do?
Check out the latest news, notes, rumors and speculation surrounding the team ahead of 2025 NFL free agency, a period that could be very important for Arizona’s NFL team as it seeks to build on its 8-9 season in 2024-25.
The Cardinals enter free agency with $67.8 million in effective cap space, the fourth most in the NFL, giving them ample room to be active signing NFL free agents.
ESPN: Josh Sweat among ‘best potential player-team fits’ in NFL free agency
It writes: Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon worked with Sweat in Philly, so he knows what he’d be getting in the 6-foot-5, 265-pound edge rusher. Sweat had eight sacks and 33 pressures in the regular season and recorded 2.5 sacks in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win. He would add much-needed pass-rushing juice to Gannon’s defense, using his speed-to-power to get to the quarterback.
Pro Football Focus: Rasul Douglas ‘perfect fit’ for Cardinals in 2025 NFL free agency
Bradley Locker writes: “Douglas wasn’t nearly as successful during 2024, recording only a 51.6 PFF coverage grade and a 116.9 passer rating when targeted. However, he would make tons of sense, given the Cardinals’ tendency to run Cover 3, which they did on 33.8% of coverage snaps last year. Douglas’ 77.2 PFF coverage grade in Cover 3 over the past two seasons is tied for the fourth-best mark in the NFL. He generated a 71.5 PFF coverage grade or higher from 2021 to 2023, so there’s a real chance that he could rebound with a new team next season. Landing with Jonathan Gannon makes sense on multiple fronts.”
Could Christian Kirk be an option for Arizona Cardinals in NFL free agency?
The NFL Network reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to release WR Christian Kirk, which immediately set off speculation about whether Kirk could return to Arizona in free agency.
The former Saguaro High standout (Scottsdale) played the first four years of his NFL career with the Cardinals.
In 93 games in his seven-year NFL career, he has 404 receptions for 5,176 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Arizona could use help at wide receiver and a veteran such as Kirk could be a good fit, with Kirk already familiar with QB Kyler Murray.
Potential free agent targets for Cardinals at cornerback
Could the Cardinals make a significant upgrade at cornerback in NFL free agency?
The Arizona Republic’s Theo Mackie recently broke down some potential options for the team at the position and included DJ Reed, Charvarius Ward, Carlton Davis III and Rasul Douglas among Arizona’s potential targets at the position.
Arizona could be in need of some help at inside linebacker this offseason. Who could the team potentially target at the position?
Mackie included Dre Greenlaw, Nick Bolton, Ernest Jones IV and Jamien Sherwood among his players who could be options for the Cardinals there, with some other options as well.
The Cardinals could end up really using help on the offensive line in free agency, but there is a deep class of potential options for them at the position.
Mackie included Trey Smith, Teven Jenkins, Kevin Zeitler and Will Fries among his list of many potential targets for the team at guard.
Who might interest the Cardinals on the interior defensive line, a position Arizona desperately needs to upgrade?
Mackie listed Osa Odighizuwa, Milton Williams, B.J. Hill and Calais Campbell among the many possible targets for the team at the position in 2025 NFL free agency.
The Cardinals did not have a player finish with more than five sacks in 2024, so edge rusher could be their No. 1 priority in the offseason.
There are some players who could be good fits in Arizona in free agency, with Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick and Azeez Ojulari among potential options for the team, according to Mackie.
Which of their own NFL free agents could the Cardinals re-sign?
Mackie broke down the team’s defenders and specialists who could return, with insight on kicker Matt Prater, linebacker Kyzir White, EDGE Dennis Gardeck, EDGE Baron Browning and others, examining both unrestricted and restricted free agents.
The Cardinals have a few big decisions to make among their own offensive free agents and Mackie analyzed what the team might do with them, including offensive guards Will Hernandez and Evan Brown, offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum and wide receivers Zay Jones, Zach Pascal and Greg Dortch.
Where do the Cardinals need to upgrade the most in the offseason?
According to Mackie, the team’s biggest need is at the edge rusher position, with interior defensive linemen second.
Offensive guard, inside linebacker, cornerback and wide receiver are also positions the team needs to boost in the offseason.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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