Mike LaFleur is preparing for his first free agency period as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, a team that plays its home games in Glendale and serves the greater Phoenix area, according to the official website. Alongside general manager Monti Ossenfort, LaFleur will focus on building a roster that reflects his vision for the team after a disappointing 2025 season. Owner Michael Bidwill has stated his desire for a quick turnaround.
The Cardinals have announced their free agent primer schedule, with each position group being addressed on specific dates from February 27 through March 7.
Entering the 2026 season, none of the team’s special teams specialists are under contract. This situation presents new special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial with an opportunity to shape this unit from scratch. Ghobrial commented on the process: “Every year in the National Football League is singular, so every year, you go back to the drawing board in terms of evaluation, which is the process that we’re in right now,” he said. “That process does take a lot of time, but it’s an important one, because you want to make sure that you have the right people in the building.”
Long snapper Aaron Brewer recently completed his 14th NFL season and has been signing one-year contracts since 2022. If Brewer decides to continue playing, there is interest from the Cardinals in bringing him back.
Injuries affected special teams last season. Punter Blake Gillikin missed most of the year due to a back injury. The team then used Pat O’Donnell for five games before adding Matt Haack, who averaged 51.3 yards per punt over seven games with ten punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
At kicker, both Chad Ryland and Joshua Karty finished last season on the active roster. Ryland maintained starting duties even after Karty was added before Week 17. Ryland is set to become a restricted free agent; if Arizona offers him a tender contract, they can match other offers or receive draft compensation if he signs elsewhere. Karty is an exclusive rights free agent and would remain with Arizona if offered a contract.
Notable past special teams signings by Arizona include kickers Matt Prater (2021), Phil Dawson (2017), Jay Feely (2010), and punters Andy Lee (2017) and Ben Graham (2008).
The Cardinals are part of the NFC West division and are recognized as the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in America (official website). The organization captured an NFC championship in 2008 (official website).