It didn’t take long after the 2024 season was in the books that Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was asked what might be store for the team in 2025.
During his postgame media conference following the 47-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Gannon was asked if he’s curious to see what Monti Ossenfort will do in the offseason.
Gannon said, “I’m trying to get through the game right now, honestly. I will say this: the work will start tomorrow morning.”
Truth to be told, collaboration is a large part of the relationship between the head coach and general manager, and there are a myriad of issues on the table that will have to be dealt with in the weeks and months ahead.
There are currently 27 players either on the roster or on injured reserve whose contracts will expire on March 12 unless they sign new deals before then. That total includes 20 potential unrestricted free agents, six restricted free agents and one exclusive-rights free agent.
The restricted players are notable because the minimum tender to retain matching rights is projected to be around $3.2 million. Thus, it might be unlikely that players potentially wanted back like wide receiver Greg Dortch, safety Joey Blount, linebacker Jesse Luketa and running back Michael Carter would be tendered and thus immediately count nearly $13 million against the cap.
In recent years, many players in that group sign deals closer to but above the $1.01 million minimum.
The other two restricted free agents are safety Andre Chachere and offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell, who spent the entire season on injured reserve. Tight end Travis Vokolek would be an exclusive rights free agent and can be tendered at the minimum of $960,000.
Minimum of salaries for 2025
No credited seasons: $840,000
1 credited season: $960,000
2 credited seasons: $1.03 million
3 credited seasons: $1.01 million
4-6 credited season $1.17 million
7-plus credited seasons: $1.255 million
The Cardinals currently have 45 players under contract for 2025 and that includes players added to the roster late in the season: tackle Nick Leverett ($1.17 million), linebackers Vi Jones ($1.03 million), Milo Eifler ($1.1 million) and Benton Whitley ($1.1 million) and safety S Jammie Robinson ($1.03 million).
Potential unrestricted free agents
OL: T Jackson Barton (IR), T Kelvin Beachum, G Evan Brown, C/G Trystan Colon, G Will Hernandez (IR)
WR: Zay Jones, Zach Pascal
DL: L.J. Collier, Naquan Jones, Roy Lopez, Khyiris Tonga
LB: Krys Barnes, Baron Browning, Victor Dimukeje, Dennis Gardeck (IR), Julian Okwara, Kyzir White
ST: LS Aaron Brewer, P Michael Palardy, K Matt Prater (IR)
The salary cap was $255.4 million in 2024 and is projected to be in the area of $272-$273 million this year. Teams can begin tendering transition and franchise players on Feb. 18.
As for some of the work that begins Monday morning, teams can now begin signing players to reserve/future contracts, many of whom were on the practice squad at the end of the season. Players from other practice squads can be signed as well as those not with a team at the end of the season.
Cardinals practice squad
OL: G Matthew Jones, T Luke Tenuta
QB: Anthony Brown Jr.
RB: Hassan Hall, Tony Jones Jr.
WR: Andre Baccellia, Tejhaun Palmer
TE: Bernhard Seikovits
DL: Anthony Goodlow, P.J. Mustipher, Ben Stille
LB: Markus Bailey, Keshawn Banks
CB: Jaden Davis
S: Darren Hall
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