After finishing his first season as a head coach with a 4-13 record, Jonathan Gannon said that while he was pleased with the teams’ fight, it simply wasn’t good enough. Now that those in the locker room and throughout the league have an idea how a Gannon-Monti Ossenfort regime operates, they'll look to build a playoff contender through free agency and the draft. The new league year begins on March 13, and with that comes free agency. Here's the ninth of 11 position breakdowns.
Free Agent primer schedule: S March 6; TE March 7; OLB March 8
Cap hit of players under contract for 2024 (via OverTheCap.com): Budda Baker ($19,025,000), Jalen Thompson ($12,467,750), Andre Chachere ($1,055,000), Joey Blount ($985,000), Qwuantrezz Knight ($915,000), Verone McKinley ($915,000)
Need: Low
Analysis: Anytime Budda Baker is on the field patrolling the Cardinals defense, the unit is automatically better. The captain has been the heart and soul of the Cardinals for years. Baker returning before training camp despite contract issues was huge for Gannon in his inaugural season in the Valley, and his play on the field earned him a sixth straight Pro Bowl nod.
Baker's counterpart, Jalen Thompson, also had a good season. Thompson finished with a team-high four interceptions, and nine pass deflections to go along with 78 tackles. Both Thompson and Baker went down with injuries in the early portion of the season and their absence was felt. At the Pro Bowl, Baker gave his partner kudos.
Andre Chachere and Joey Blount mostly played special teams but different personnel calls by defensive coordinator Nick Rallis sometimes had them on the field. The secondary hasn't been an area of concern when assessing the Cardinals defense and likely won't heading into the 2024 season.
Notable past free agent safety signings: Tre Boston (2018); Antoine Bethea (2017); Tyvon Branch (2016); Yeremiah Bell (2013); James Sanders (2012); Hamza Abdullah (2009); Dexter Jackson (2003); Matt Darby (1996); Andre Waters (1994); Mike Zordich (1989).
A look at some of the top safeties across the NFL who are scheduled to become free agents in mid-March
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller (4) celebrates his interception during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson (4) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 in in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone (26) breaks up a two point conversion pass intended for Miami Dolphins tight end Nick Bowers (88) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl (31) looks to make a play during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, left, and safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (31) celebrate during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, left, tries to avoid a tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) after intercepting a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield during the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) tries in vain to intercept a pass in the end zone that was intended for New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry in the second half of an NFL football game in Frankfurt, Germany Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Philadelphia Eagles safety Kevin Byard (31) in action against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
