Arizona Cardinals News

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) had a golden opportunity to take over his team's backfield in 2025 after fellow Cardinals back James Conner (ankle) went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3. However, Benson suffered a knee injury that ultimately ended up being season-ending as well in the Cardinals' next game in Week 4. Now entering his third NFL season, the 23-year-old has compiled 574 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 111 touches across 17 career games. Conner should be back in the mix this season for Arizona, and the team also made a move to upgrade in the offseason by signing former Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.25 million contract. As a result, Benson could be completely blocked off from playing time with the Cardinals in 2026. He still carries some dynasty upside, but Benson's stock is trending in the wrong direction after Arizona's offseason moves.

Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray injured his foot in Week 5 of the 2025 season and never played again after that, opening the door for veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett to have the best year of his 10-year NFL career. The 33-year-old veteran played 14 games (12 starts) and completeed 64.9% of his pass attempts for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He went just 1-11 as a starter for the lowly Cardinals, but there's no question that he elevated Arizona's offense from what Murray had shown in the first five games. In a pass-happy offense with the Cardinals often finding themselves down big early, Brissett racked up the passing attempts and aired the football out to finish as the QB15 in fantasy scoring. Murray is now gone, and although the Cardinals signed Gardner Minshew at the position, the expectation is that Brissett will remain the starter in 2026. The Cardinals led the NFL in pass attempts last year, but under new head coach Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals should be a much more run-heavy offense, which means that fantasy managers probably won't be able to count on Brissett putting up similar numbers over a full season in his second year in the desert.

The Arizona Cardinals are setting up to be a run-heavy offense in 2026 under new head coach Mike LaFleur. Running backs James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) will both be returning from season-ending injuries early in 2025, and the team also signed former Atlanta Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.25 million contract in free agency. The 25-year-old Allgeier could never truly reach his ceiling in Atlanta while working behind stud RB1 Bijan Robinson, and now he could be part of a three-headed RB attack in the desert, depending on the health of both Conner and Benson. Allgeier had a 1,000-yard rushing season in his rookie campaign in 2022 on 210 carries and then regressed each season after that in terms of yardage, although he did have a career-high eight TDs in 17 games in 2025. He's been durable in his four NFL seasons, missing just one game. Allgeier should at the very least be in play as a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex (like he was in Atlanta), but he'll have clear RB2 upside if he emerges as Arizona's backfield leader.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson exploded for a breakout campaign in 2025, and he could remain one of the team's top fantasy scorers next year. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the consensus No. 1 receiver in Arizona entering the season, but his struggles created a perfect scenario for Wilson to break out, and the 26-year-old capitalized on this opportunity. Playing most of the season with Jacoby Brissett as his quarterback (plus a few weeks of Kyler Murray), Wilson delivered 78 receptions, 1,006 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. He finished as the WR10 in PPR leagues, ranking ahead of stars like A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, and Justin Jefferson. This outcome is even more incredible when you consider that Wilson didn't have a single double-digit fantasy performance until Week 11. From Week 11 through Week 18, he was simply otherworldly, averaging 21.2 points per game and ranking as the overall WR2 -- behind Puka Nacua and ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It would be a little too bold to predict another top-10 season from Wilson, so dynasty managers might consider trying to sell high on the Stanford product. With that said, we wouldn't be surprised to see him still have success in 2026. After all, he'll have much-needed consistency at the quarterback position with Brissett coming back, and Arizona didn't bring in any major weapons on offense to compete with him. An offense-oriented scheme under new head coach Mike LaFleur should bode well for Wilson, too. He remains firmly in the top-24 fantasy receiver conversation for next year.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had another underwhelming season in 2025. Once viewed as a near lock to succeed in the NFL, Harrison has been one of the biggest disappointments in dynasty fantasy football. He was the overall WR30 as a rookie in 2024, and he followed it up with 41 catches, 608 yards, and four touchdowns across 12 games in 2025. He fell to WR49 last year and, more importantly, lost the grasp on his No. 1 receiver job in Arizona. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett built a terrific rapport with breakout receiver Michael Wilson, leaving Harrison in more of a de facto No. 2 role. Brissett is expected to return as the Cardinals' starting quarterback in 2026, and Wilson is also back as the potential top receiver. As a result, dynasty managers should be prepared for another subpar season from Harrison. Even if he manages to stay healthy for a full 17 games, he's firmly entrenched as a WR3/flex option, falling short of the lofty WR1 expectations that were attached to him in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Former Chicago Bears All-Pro wide receiver/returner Devin Duvernay is signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Sunday, according to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Duvernay was a Pro Bowler in 2021 and 2022 with the Baltimore Ravens as a kick returner, and that's where most of his production will likely come as he heads to the desert. The 28-year-old former third-round pick by the Ravens in 2020 out of the University of Texas only caught two passes on five targets for 26 yards in 17 regular-season games for the Bears last season. On special teams, though, he returned 40 kickoffs for 1,069 yards and returned 21 punts for 231 yards. In his six years in the NFL, Duvernay's best year on offense was in 2022 with Baltimore, when he caught 37 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets in 14 games. Duvernay is highly unlikely to become a fantasy asset as a receiver next season in Arizona.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride had a spectacular 2025 season, and he'll look to repeat his success with quarterback consistency on the way in 2026. Outside of five games with Kyler Murray as his quarterback, McBride spent most of last season catching passes from Jacoby Brissett. The veteran backup isn't a flashy passer by any means, but he played surprisingly well and supported an elite-tier campaign from McBride. The 26-year-old finished the year with 126 catches, 1,239 yards, and 11 touchdowns, ranking as the overall TE1 in full-PPR leagues. He has now been a top-two fantasy tight end in back-to-back seasons, and with Brissett due back next year, McBride remains a top fantasy option at his position. Of course, the markets have adjusted and McBride no longer comes at a discount. He's priced as one of the top tight ends in fantasy football and will likely have a second-round ADP in most leagues next summer. From a dynasty perspective, he should be held in all leagues. He's too expensive to buy low, but too young and talented to sell high.

The Arizona Cardinals re-signed wide receiver Simi Fehoko (wrist) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Fehoko didn't play behind Week 10 last year after suffering a wrist injury. The 28-year-old finished his fifth year in the league (first with Arizona) with no catches on no targets despite appearing in eight games for the Cardinals. The former fifth-round selection by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 out of Stanford played just 37 offense snaps and 116 special teams snaps. In his five years in the NFL, Fehoko hasn't seen many opportunities as a pass-catcher, hauling in 10 of 22 targets for 139 yards and one touchdown in 32 games (two starts). He will return to the desert to provide WR depth behind Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Kendrick Bourne. Fehoko can be ignored in all fantasy football formats.

Two-time Pro-Bowl running back James Conner (foot) and the Arizona Cardinals agreed to a restructured contract that will keep him in the desert for the 2026 season. One day later, the team agreed to a two-year deal with Tyler Allgeier, adding depth to a running back room that already featured 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson. None of the three backs has a guaranteed salary above $2.1 million in 2026, and with a new coaching staff, this committee situation profiles as one of the murkiest in the league. Allgeier has the most experience in the type of wide-zone scheme expected to be implemented by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, while Benson offers the most explosiveness, and Conner still boasts the best hands and receiving ability. With the Cardinals coming off a 3-14 season and expected to return Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback, this backfield may not find itself in a position to deliver much overall value, regardless of the division of labor.

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) seemed like an intriguing buy-low candidate in fantasy football entering this offseason, but his upside has been squandered following the Cardinals' backfield roster moves so far in free agency. The Cardinals restructured a deal to keep James Conner in Arizona, signed Tyler Allgeier, and also brought back Zonovan Knight. Their urgency to put pen to paper with three different running backs could spell disaster for Benson going forward, and even though he's not a cut or trade candidate, he could be falling out of favor in Arizona, where new head coach Mike LaFleur is starting to put his own print on the offense. In his second pro season last year, Benson, a former third-round pick, amassed 160 rushing yards and 64 receiving yards over four games (one start). Just as he was starting to take on a larger role with Conner injured, Benson suffered a knee injury of his own and missed the rest of the season. At this point, it seems like the best-case scenario for Benson is the third-string running back role, and even that's not guaranteed after Knight signed his deal. Dynasty managers should hold Benson for now; he has minimal fantasy football trade value, but at just 23 years old and one year removed from being a backup running back, it's too soon to cut bait entirely.

The Arizona Cardinals officially released quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Murray is "at or near the top" of the Minnesota Vikings' QB wish list this offseason as they look to pair a veteran to push young signal-caller J.J. McCarthy. Murray's fantasy football stock is way down after he missed the final 12 games of the 2025 season in Arizona due to a foot sprain he suffered in Week 5. The 28-year-old former first overall selection in 2019 out of Oklahoma wasn't in sync before his injury, either, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three picks in five games started. Despite his poor final season in Arizona, Murray will be attractive to teams looking for a cheap and experienced option at the position, as the Cardinals are paying the $38.8 million guarantees still owed to him. If Minnesota adds Murray and he wins the starting gig over McCarthy, he'd be a clear QB2 bounce-back candidate.

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to re-sign running back Bam Knight to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday, according to his agent, Mike McCartney. Knight became a much bigger part of Arizona's backfield last year than anyone would have expected after season-ending injuries to both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee). The 24-year-old finished the year with 82 carries for 269 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, adding 22 receptions for 160 yards and another score through the air in 12 games (eight starts). Conner and Benson are still under contract with the Cardinals for the 2026 season, and they also signed former Atlanta Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier earlier this week. At best, Knight will be the RB3 or RB4 in Arizona going into next season, so he's unlikely to have nearly as many opportunities for touches unless injuries strike again.

If the Arizona Cardinals plan to start veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett again in 2026, they "have yet to make him aware of those plans," according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. The Cardinals have not told Brissett that he will be their starting QB in 2026, according to a source. He is still under contract for this year and is scheduled to make $4.88 million. Arizona has moved on from former first overall pick Kyler Murray (foot), and they signed veteran Gardner Minshew to a one-year deal on Monday, but Brissett is expected to remain under center after impressing in 2025. The 33-year-old became an unlikely QB streamer in fantasy football after taking over the Cardinals offense in Week 6, ultimately finishing with a career-best 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games (12 starts). New head coach Mike LaFleur will likely make the Cardinals offense more balanced in 2026, though, making it more unlikely that Brissett will have the kind of upside he had in 2025.

The Arizona Cardinals' "current intention" is to keep Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback in 2026, with Gardner Minshew serving as the backup, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Brissett took over for the injured Kyler Murray (foot), who has since been released, after he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 5. The 33-year-old veteran proceeded to have a career year in a pass-happy offense, completing 64.9% of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games played (12 starts). Brissett quickly became a QB streamer for QB-needy fantasy managers, and he was money in superflex leagues as well, with the Cardinals throwing the ball often while frequently playing down multiple scores. He'll be in play in two-QB leagues again in 2026 as long as he's starting, although the Cardinals may look to become more balanced on offense under new head coach Mike LaFleur.

The Arizona Cardinals and two-time Pro Bowl running back James Conner (foot) agreed to a restructured contract on Sunday that will keep him with the team in 2026, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Conner played only three games in 2025 due to a foot injury that required season-ending surgery, but he'll be back with the Cardinals this year at age 31. Trey Benson (knee) also missed most of the year due to injury, which gave more opportunities to both Michael Carter and Emari Demercado. Carter led the team with only 333 rushing yards and one touchdown on 92 rushing attempts over 13 games, while Demercado had 312 yards and no touchdowns on the ground in 13 games. Conner could be the favorite for RB1 duties again in 2026, but on the wrong side of 30 in an offense that could have issues at the quarterback position, the upside for Conner probably won't really be there.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has heard that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) has interest in the Indianapolis Colts as he looks for his next team. Breer adds that Murray's preference is probably to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, but all options are on the table right now, with the Cardinals expected to release him. As long as the Colts can retain Daniel Jones (Achilles) -- he received the transition tag -- the Colts wouldn't exactly make sense for Murray from a playing-time standpoint. The 28-year-old former first overall pick back in 2019 out of Oklahoma is one of the quickest QBs in the game, but injuries have been an issue, and he just hasn't been able to take the next step as a dual-threat signal-caller in the NFL. Before a season-ending foot strain in Week 5, Murray had 962 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three picks in 2025. Landing in Minnesota would be the best thing for Murray's fantasy value as he looks to rebound in 2026.

The Arizona Cardinals released defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson on Friday, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Tomlinson played his only season with the Cardinals in 2025 and had 26 tackles (13 solo) and one sack in 17 starts in his ninth year in the NFL. The 32-year-old former second-round pick back in 2017 out of Alabama by the New York Giants played the first four years of his career with the Giants before spending two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Tomlinson has been a durable and consistent defensive tackle in his nine years in the NFL, but he doesn't move the fantasy needle in IDP formats with only 20 total sacks through 142 games played (142 starts). The Cardinals will free up around $9.4 million in salary cap space this year by cutting Tomlinson, who signed a two-year, $29 million deal with Arizona last March.

Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith and Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett are the front-runners to be the New York Jets' starting signal-caller in 2026, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Smith was taken by the Jets in the second round in 2013 out of West Virginia, so it would be a homecoming after he spent the first four years of his career in New York. The 35-year-old was one of the worst QBs in the league in 2025, but he'll come cheap this offseason and has enough experience to be a one-year bridge option at the position. Brissett would be more expensive, and it's unclear if the Cardinals will even trade him this offseason. Reports on Friday suggested the Jets could add two veteran QBs in free agency, so if the team adds Smith or Brissett, they'd likely be competing for the starting role this summer. Most likely, the QB position will be one to avoid in fantasy leagues this fall.

Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) is the top available option at the QB position this offseason. The New York Jets have discussed him as an option, but the "resounding belief" from multiple sources is that he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. The 28-year-old former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma didn't play beyond Week 5 last year due to a foot sprain, and veteran Jacoby Brissett actually elevated the offense in Murray's absence. The Vikings are looking for a signal-caller to push J.J. McCarthy and perhaps even win a QB battle going into next season. Murray, the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, would be in position to rebound in a big way if he were to land in Minnesota, with head coach Kevin O'Connell and legitimate receiving threats in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Murray is going to be cheap on the open market and in fantasy drafts this fall, but he will make for an interesting QB2 flier with bounce-back potential if he signs with the Vikes.

The Arizona Cardinals will not tender a contract to restricted free-agent running back Emari Demercado before next week, making him a free agent, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Demercado had over 1,100 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in his three years with the Cardinals, including a career-high 312 rushing yards on 44 carries in 2025 in 13 games with both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) injured. He added 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 targets in 2025. Especially with Conner and Benson coming off serious injuries last year, it wouldn't be surprising to see Arizona try to bring Demercado back on a cheap deal for 2026. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of TCU probably won't be anything more than a complementary back wherever he lands in free agency this offseason.