The Arizona Cardinals announced on Mar. 12 that running back Bam Knight and cornerback Starling Thomas V have agreed to return to the team on one-year contracts.
The moves come as the Cardinals look to strengthen their roster after a season marked by injuries, particularly in the running back position. The team had previously added free agent running back Tyler Allgeier on a two-year deal.
Knight, who signed a futures contract during the previous offseason, spent all of 2025 with the Cardinals. He made the 53-man roster following a strong preseason performance and played in a career-high 12 games. Knight finished last season with 269 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries before an ankle sprain placed him on Injured Reserve. He was one of three running backs for the Cardinals to end the season on IR.
Thomas also faced challenges last year when he tore his ACL during training camp while competing for a starting job in his third season. Despite this setback, Thomas has shown progress in his recovery, sharing on social media that he sprinted over 20 miles per hour during rehab. Over two years with the team, Thomas has played in 29 games, recording 85 tackles and 11 pass breakups.
The Arizona Cardinals are recognized as the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in the United States, according to the official website. The team serves the greater Phoenix area and hosts its home games in Glendale, Arizona according to its official website. The Cardinals compete as part of the NFC West division according to their official website and captured an NFC championship in 2008 as reported by their official site.
As both players work toward returning from injury setbacks, observers will be watching how these signings impact competition at their respective positions ahead of next season.