Cardinals’ players at risk of being cut in 2026 offseason

GLENDALE – After the most losses in a single season, the Arizona Cardinals are due for a total turnover. The franchise is already looking for its next head coach, but there are plenty of problems facing the team. Outside of the third overall pick, Arizona will only have $18.9 million in effective cap space to improve the roster during the 2026 offseason.

However, there is a way for the Cardinals to create more cap space for themselves by cutting some players. OverTheCap released a 100-name list of NFL players that are the most likely cut candidates, with Arizona having the most players of any team with nine.

Sep 25, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Baron Browning (5) against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The nine Cardinals players listed and their 2026 money:

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) breaks out of the backfield against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on Sept 14, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic

The only player with guaranteed money in 2026 is Browning, with $2 million. OverTheCap came to this list by their own calculation from the value of the contract, age, production and many other factors. Those criteria led to some questionable names on the list. Of the nine names, three are guarantee to stay on the roster next season: Brissett, Browning and Collins. All are low cost and valuable depth pieces for the roster.

Of the remaining six names, four are likely to be cut: Murphy-Bunting, Tomlinson, Brown, and Nichols. Murphy-Bunting was Arizona’s CB1 in 2024, but suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the entirety of last season. During that time, rookie cornerbacks like Denzel Burke and Will Johnson has stepped up in a major way. The two rookies are cheaper options and his $7 million contract would save the franchise some money to reinvest.

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (92) tackles Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Sep 22, 2024.

Brown and Nichols didn’t provide much production in 2025. Brown was a 17-game starter two seasons ago, but has fallen into a depth piece this past season and hasn’t met up with the production of his first year with a 54.1 PFF grade. Nichols has only played 10 games in two seasons and has 13 tackles overall, not worth the $6 million.

Tomlinson appeared in every single game this season and didn’t live up to the $14.5 million price tag. One sack, 26 tackles, three tackles for loss and a 43.2 PFF overall grade, which placed him 120th out of 134 interior defensive lineman. At his position, Tomlinson isn’t supposed to stuff the stat sheet, but he was brought in to help the Cardinals run game and failed to do that, with the unit allowing 126.9 rushing yards (25th in league).

Jun 10, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during minicamp at the teams Arizona Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The last two names are toss ups in Conner and Davis-Gaither. The two-time Pro Bowler suffered a brutal right foot injury that ended his ninth season after only three games. When the 2026 season begins, Conner will be 31 years old and will have to battle against his foot injury and father time.

History shows that NFL running backs start to derail after 30, and Conner was already showing signs of it early in 2025, averaging 3.0 yards per carry with 32 attempts. Conner has likely earned the benefit of the doubt and will be brought back, but his $8 million salary could be too rich for the Cardinals to keep.

Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Medical personal tend to Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Davis-Gaither had 117 tackles the most in his career, second on the team behind Budda Baker. Despite that impressive number, the 28-year-old had a 49.9 overall PFF grade and didn’t help the defense from allowing the most points in franchise history. When fellow linebacker Mack Wilson Jr. went down with injury, rookie linebacker Cody Simon leaped over Davis-Gaither to be the green dot.

Simon did have experience in college as the defensive play caller, but it illustrated the hierarchy of how the Cardinals coaching staff view the linebacker core. When Wilson returns from injury, Davis-Gaither and Simon will have to dual in training camp and preseason for reps. Regardless, Davis-Gaither will probably remain on the roster as he’s under $5 million.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports