The Kyler Murray news was the first to break as roster moves start to happen for the Cardinals, but other transactions are on the way as free agency and the new league year begins March 11.

Two came on Thursday, when the Cardinals released veteran linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols. The moves will save the Cardinals a total of about $11 million on the salary cap, according to overthecap.com.

Davis-Gaither played in all 17 games for the Cardinals last season, starting 13 and totaling 117 tackles. He had an interception, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss and five pass breakups. He arrived as a free agent before the season, with the Cardinals hoping he could be another linebacker success story transforming from part-time play to full-time as Mack Wilson Sr. had done in 2024.

He played 68 percent of the defensive snaps, by far the most of his career, but never found the level the team sought from him.

Nichols was signed as a free agent before the 2024 season and never could get healthy. He played just 10 games in two seasons -- after playing at least 13 games in each of his first six seasons, and all 51 possible in the three seasons before coming to Arizona -- and totaled 13 tackles and one tackle-for-loss.

The Cardinals can continue to make moves with their own players at any time, including more releases or contract extensions, as teams get to next week. On Monday at 1 p.m. Arizona time, teams can begin talking to potential free agents from other teams -- and news of some agreements will inevitably leak out -- but no business can be completed between a free agent and a new team until Wednesday.

That's the same time Murray will be eligible to be released.