Defensive end L.J. Collier (biceps) is re-signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport. The former Seattle Seahawks first-round pick impressed in training camp last year, but he suffered a biceps injury that ended his season after just one game with the Cardinals. The 28-year-old has compiled 42 tackles and three sacks through his first 46 NFL games. He's unlikely to ever live up to his draft capital, but he'll get another shot at becoming a solid starter or depth option in 2024.
Cardinals Agree With L.J. Collier On One-Year Deal
The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with defensive lineman L.J. Collier and cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. on undisclosed one-year deals on Tuesday. Exclusive-rights free-agent defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter also signed his one-year tender. Collier played in a career-low eight games (zero starts) in his fourth season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 due to injury, and he finished with just seven tackles (three solo). The 27-year-old first-rounder in 2019 has accumulated 40 tackles (24 solo), three sacks, six tackles for loss, 13 QB hits and five passes defensed in 45 career games (16 starts) over his four NFL seasons.
Seattle Seahawks former first-round defensive end/defensive tackle L.J. Collier has had an underwhelming start to his career, but defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt said during organized team activities that Collier was having one of the best springs of any Seattle defender. Collier will be fighting for playing time in a defensive-line rotation that is crowded after offseason acquisitions of Shelby Harris and Quinton Jefferson, however. The 26-year-old former 29th overall pick in 2019 had his fifth-year option declined after recording just three sacks, 33 tackles (21 solo), five tackles for loss, 12 QB hits and three passes defensed in 37 games (16 starts) in his first three NFL seasons. Collier will be hoping to put some promising performances on tape this year for when he reaches free agency next March.
Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman L.J. Collier (ankle) said that he underwent an ankle scope on Tuesday. "Just had to get my ankle cleaned out a little bit," Collier said. "It was a quick procedure. I'm in a boot now, so it really wasn't that bad, man. Got to let everybody know I'm straight." The second-year pro played in 16 games for the Seahawks in 2020 but racked up only 22 combined tackles (16 solo) and three sacks. Collier, 25, was a first-round pick out of TCU in 2019 and had only three tackles in 11 games (no starts) his rookie season as he fought through injuries. Collier has yet to realize his true potential at the next level, but he could take the next step if he can get past injuries.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end L.J. Collier, the team's first-round pick (29th overall) in 2019, is eager to prove himself after a disappointing rookie season. "I am chomping at the bit to get out there because it's one of those things where you didn't have the year everybody wanted you to get, so they just kind of shift you off to the side as if you can't play," Collier said. He missed all of the preseason and regular season opener after spraining his right ankle in training camp. And when he returned, Collier had only three tackles and no sacks on 142 defensive snaps in 11 games. Including the playoffs, he was a healthy scratch six times. Collier's ankle affected him after he returned, but he said the ankle is no longer an issue. He's in line for snaps as one of the team's five-technique defensive ends, and Seattle will need Collier and others to be much better for a team that had one of the worst pass rushes in the league last season.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Texas Christian defensive end L.J. Collier with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. The Seahawks acquired this pick by sending defensive end Frank Clark to the Chiefs this week. Collier doesn't have elite speed, but he has excellent technique off the edge and produced in college. After Seattle traded Clark, they'll hope that Collier can pick up the slack as an edge rusher pressuring the opposing quarterback.
