Trending Now - 2026 NFL Free Agency: Focus on Safety Positions

WHO:

Mike LaFleur, head coach of the Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort, General Manager of the Arizona Cardinals

Michael Bidwill, owner of the Arizona Cardinals

Budda Baker, safety for the Arizona Cardinals

Jalen Thompson, safety for the Arizona Cardinals

Sean Murphy-Bunting, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals

Garrett Williams, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals

Max Melton, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals

Will Johnson, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals

Joey Blount, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals

Starling Thomas V, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals

Amon-Ra St. Brown, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions

Jake Bates, kicker for the Detroit Lions

Rod Wood, President of the Detroit Lions

WHAT:

Mike LaFleur is entering his first free agency cycle as head coach.

The Arizona Cardinals are focusing on free agency to improve after a disappointing 2025 season.

The Cardinals have a cap hit for players under contract in 2026 totaling various amounts, including:

Budda Baker: $19,216,250

Sean Murphy-Bunting: $9,245,000

Garrett Williams: $3,948,533

Max Melton: $2,424,084

Will Johnson: $2,138,811

Other players listed with respective cap hits.

Jalen Thompson is set to hit the open market.

The Lions tendered an exclusive rights free agent contract to Jake Bates.

Amon-Ra St. Brown expressed being "sick" over the trade of David Montgomery to the Texans.

WHERE:

Arizona Cardinals are based in Arizona.

Detroit Lions are based in Detroit, Michigan, with events held at Ford Field.

WHEN:

The free agent primer schedule for the Arizona Cardinals includes:

Running Backs on March 6, 2026

Quarterbacks on March 7, 2026

The 2025 NFL season was disappointing for the Arizona Cardinals.

WHY:

Michael Bidwill expressed a desire for a quick turnaround after the 2025 season.

HOW:

The Cardinals are assembling a roster through free agency to shape their identity in LaFleur's first year.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for free agency as head coach Mike LaFleur enters his first cycle, aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season. With significant cap hits for players like Budda Baker and Sean Murphy-Bunting, the team is focused on reshaping its roster, while safety Jalen Thompson is set to hit the open market. Meanwhile, in Detroit, the Lions have tendered an exclusive rights free agent contract to kicker Jake Bates, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown expressed his frustration over the recent trade of David Montgomery to the Texans.