Mike LaFleur is slated to enter his first free agency cycle as a head coach. As he and Monti Ossenfort assemble a roster, how they approach the acquisition process will shape the identity LaFleur hopes to create in Year One. Owner Michael Bidwill said that he wanted a quick turnaround after a disappointing 2025 season. First stop: Free Agency.
Free Agent primer schedule: Outside Linebackers March 1, Wide Receivers March 2, Defensive Line March 3, Inside Linebackers March 4, Inside Linebackers March 4, Secondary March 5, Running Backs March 6, Quarterback March 7.
Other free agent primers: Special Teams, OL, TE
Cap hit of players under contract for 2026 (via OverTheCap.com): Josh Sweat ($16,385,000), Baron Browning ($9,415,000), Zaven Collins ($6,053,217), BJ Ojulari ($2,735,605), Jordan Burch ($1,474,881), Eku Leota ($1,145,000), Elliott Brown ($885,000)
Analysis: Josh Sweat was the splash signing in the last free agency cycle, and after a year in the Valley, proved to be worth every penny. While a knee injury lingered throughout the back half of the season, Sweat continued to be a difference maker. He was the team leader with a career-high 12 sacks and a Pro Bowl alternate.
Outside of Sweat, the production wasn't there as the other edge rushers combined for 5.5 sacks. In the past, the coaching staff had said sacks aren't necessarily a stat they're overly worried about, focusing more on the disruption they can cause a quarterback. Within Nick Rallis' system, the outside linebackers also would occasionally drop into coverage. Yet there's acknowledgment that more is needed from that room.
The draft has plenty of quality options, especially ones that will be available when the Cardinals are on the clock at three. However, the free agency class is also loaded with talent, headlined by Trey Hendrickson and Jaelan Phillips.
Notable past free agent outside linebacker signings: Sweat (2025); Devon Kennard (2020); Terrell Suggs (2019); Dwight Freeney (2015); John Abraham (2013); Joey Porter (2010); Clark Haggans (2008); Travis LaBoy (2008).
