2025 NFL Signings Graded by Team: Arizona Cardinals

This page lists all the 2025 NFL Signings for the Arizona Cardinals. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the Signings. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the Signings, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL Signings here, so archiving the voting would be easier.

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  • Total Signings: 10
  • Average Grade: B+ (89.2)

April 2025 – Signings


Cardinals re-sign WR Greg Dortch (1 year, $3.3 million): B+ Grade
signed on 4/18/2025


Greg Dortch’s decline last year can be explained by the presence of Marvin Harrison Jr. and the emergence of Trey McBride. It was a shame for Dortch, who had improved his stat line every since in the NFL until 2024.

Despite Dortch’s improvement coming to a halt, this is a quality re-signing. Dortch is a quality slot receiver, and Kyler Murray likes to utilize him on occasion. The price makes sense for the 27-year-old.


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Cardinals extend TE Trey McBride (4 years, $76 million): A- Grade
signed on 4/3/2025


I’m often opposed to big contracts given to tight ends – unless they happen to be elite players at the position. I consider Trey McBride to be an elite player. Some may point to his low touchdown total as a reason to be bearish on this contract, but I would put that more on Kyler Murray than McBride. The athletic tight end is essential to Murray’s success, so this extension must be graded favorably.


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Cardinals sign DT Calais Campbell (1 year, $5.5 million): A+ Grade
signed on 4/1/2025


After all these years, Calais Campbell finally returns home. The Cardinals drafted Campbell in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Campbell spent nearly a decade in Arizona before going to Jacksonville, then Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami. He’ll now likely close out his career with the Cardinals.

This is a great signing, and not just because of ‘Member Berries. Campbell isn’t what he used to be, but he’s still a terrific run defender who can get some pressure on the quarterback. This addition has very little downside, and there’s a chance Campbell can help the Cardinals sneak into the playoffs.


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March 2025 – Signings


Cardinals sign DT Dalvin Tomlinson (2 years, $29 million): B- Grade
signed on 3/13/2025


Dalvin Tomlinson used to be an exceptional interior defensive lineman. If the Cardinals made this move a couple of years ago, I’d grade it much higher than I am now. Tomlinson has shown regression now that he’s in his 30s. Arizona might be able to get one more solid year out of him, but that may not even happen.


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Cardinals sign QB Jacoby Brissett (1 year, $10 million): B+ Grade
signed on 3/11/2025


Of all the teams that need a premium backup quarterback, the Cardinals rank near the top. Kyler Murray is frail and has lasted just one full season in his career. He was able to play every game last year, but that should be seen as a fluke.

This is a strong signing for the Cardinals. Not only is Jacoby Brissett a premium backup; he also worked with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, so there will be a smooth transition to his new team.


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Cardinals re-sign WR Zay Jones (1 year, $4.4 million): B Grade
signed on 3/11/2025


I’m surprised Zay Jones re-signed with the Cardinals. He was productive elsewhere, namely in Jacksonville with Trevor Lawrence, but didn’t do much in Arizona. Jones was suspended to start the year and never was able to gel with Kyler Murray. Jones going back to the Jaguars made sense, but he has decided to stay put. Jones should have better success in 2025, and if that’s the case, then Arizona is getting a tertiary receiver at a cheap price.


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Cardinals sign DE Josh Sweat (4 years, $76.4 million): A Grade
signed on 3/10/2025


It’s been a while since the Cardinals have maintained a dynamic pass rush. J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones were on the roster back then. Arizona has now taken a big step in reviving their pass rush.

Josh Sweat is a very talented edge player. He has accumulated 37 sacks in the past four years despite playing in a rotation. He also could have won Super Bowl MVP. He’ll post greater numbers in a more significant role, so he’ll be instrumental in improving a horrible defense.


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Cardinals re-sign C/G Evan Brown (2 years, $11.5 million): A+ Grade
signed on 3/10/2025


We go from an awful offensive line contract (Ben Bredeson) to a great one. Arizona’s re-signing of Evan Brown is an outstanding move, and it would have been graded higher than Tampa Bay’s recent contract even if Brown received more money than Bredeson.

Brown is not a great run blocker, but he’s a very solid pass protector. He can also play all three positions in the interior of the offensive line. At just 28, Brown won’t regress during this deal, so this is a terrific signing by Arizona.


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Cardinals re-sign C/G Evan Brown (2 years, $11.5 million): A+ Grade
signed on 3/10/2025


We go from an awful offensive line contract (Ben Bredeson) to a great one. Arizona’s re-signing of Evan Brown is an outstanding move, and it would have been graded higher than Tampa Bay’s recent contract even if Brown received more money than Bredeson.

Brown is not a great run blocker, but he’s a very solid pass protector. He can also play all three positions in the interior of the offensive line. At just 28, Brown won’t regress during this deal, so this is a terrific signing by Arizona.


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Cardinals re-sign LB Baron Browning (2 years, $15 million): B Grade
signed on 3/9/2025


The Cardinals acquired Baron Browning at the trade deadline this past season. He was obtained for a sixth-round pick, so it’s not a surprise that the Cardinals aimed to keep him around for a couple more years.

Browning was obtained to bolster the pass rush. The stats don’t say he really did that, as Browning logged just two sacks for Arizona. However, that number isn’t indicative of how much pressure he provided. This is a fair contract for Browning, who should continue to be a solid rotational edge rusher.


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