Cardinals bring back S Chris Banjo on one-year deal

Veteran NFL free agent safety Chris Banjo agrees to a one-year contract to return to the Arizona Cardinals. He has played for Arizona since 2019.

The Arizona Cardinals have rounded out their group of safeties on the roster by bringing back a key contributor to the 2020 season. The team announced on Monday safety Chris Banjo agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

It is the second offseason in a row in which he has agreed to a one-year deal.

Banjo originally signed with the team during the 2019 season and became a core special teams player, playing 290 special teams snaps. With Jalen Thompson missing much of the season with an ankle injury, Banjo was thrust into the starting lineup, starting four times. He logged 48 tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and a pass breakup.

He also played 175 snaps on special teams.

Now 31 years old, he will likely battle for a roster spot in his familiar role on special teams.

His addition now gives the Cardinals seven safeties on the roster, six with NFL experience. The starters will likely be Budda Baker and Thompson, with veteran Shawn Williams, Deionte Thompson, Banjo and special teamer Charles Washington battling for the other roster spots. They also have rookie Chris Miller out of Baylor who signed a futures deal earlier in the offseason.

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