The Arizona Cardinals announced on Mar. 9 that kicker Chad Ryland, punter Blake Gillikin, and defensive lineman L.J. Collier have each agreed to one-year contract extensions for the 2026 season.
These moves come as NFL teams prepare to begin negotiations with free agents on Monday morning. By securing these players before the start of the negotiating period, the Cardinals aim to maintain roster stability ahead of potential changes in free agency.
Collier’s return adds depth to the defensive line after recent releases of Dalvin Tomlinson and Bilal Nichols. The team still has Walter Nolen III, Dante Stills, and Darius Robinson on its roster, with a possibility that free agent Calais Campbell could also return if he decides not to retire. Ryland finished last season with a career-high 111 points but saw his field-goal percentage drop from 87 percent to 76 percent. He made 25 out of 33 attempts and converted six out of ten tries from at least 50 yards. Ryland will compete for his position with Josh Karty, who joined from the Rams’ practice squad late last season.
Gillikin averaged 51.7 yards per punt through five games last year and achieved a career-high net average of 45.4 yards per punt before a back injury ended his season prematurely—the second such injury in his career.
The NFL’s negotiating window opens at 9 a.m. Monday, allowing teams to discuss terms with players; however, official signings cannot occur until Wednesday afternoon.
The Arizona Cardinals are recognized as the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in the United States according to the official website. The team competes in the NFC West division according to the official website and hosts home games in Glendale, Arizona according to the official website. The franchise serves the greater Phoenix area according to the official website and captured an NFC championship in 2008 according to the official website.