Mike LaFleur is preparing for his first free agency period as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, with general manager Monti Ossenfort. Owner Michael Bidwill has expressed a desire for a quick turnaround after a disappointing 2025 season. The team will start this process with free agency.
The inside linebacker position is among those under review. According to OverTheCap.com, players currently under contract for 2026 include Akeem Davis-Gaither ($6,695,000), Mack Wilson Sr. ($4,726,668), Cody Simon ($1,256,190), Owen Pappoe ($1,206,245), and Austin Keys ($1,005,000).
During the last season there were questions about who would lead at middle linebacker and call defensive plays. Mack Wilson Sr. quickly assumed that role before an injury in Week 9 sidelined him. Rookie Cody Simon stepped in and recorded 67 tackles, two tackles for loss, and half a sack against the Bengals from Week 10 onward. Wilson’s rib injury is not expected to impact his availability in 2026.
Akeem Davis-Gaither joined the Cardinals as a free agent last year after spending most of his time on special teams with Cincinnati. In his first season primarily playing defense for Arizona he finished just one tackle shy of 100—second most on the team.
Several notable inside linebackers across the NFL are scheduled to become free agents in mid-March. Some draft prospects such as Jacob Rodriguez and Jake Golday could also be options for Arizona during day two of the draft.
Past notable free agent signings by the Cardinals at inside linebacker include Wilson (2024), Kyzir White (2023), De’Vondre Campbell (2020), Jordan Hicks (2019), Josh Bynes (2017), Karlos Dansby (2017/2013), LaMarr Woodley (2015), Larry Foote (2014), Paris Lenon (2010) and Seth Joyner (1994).
The Cardinals are based in Glendale and serve the greater Phoenix area in Arizona. They play home games locally and compete in the NFC West division as one of the oldest continuously operating professional football franchises in the United States (official website). The organization won an NFC championship in 2008 (official website).