Cardinals sign free agent linebacker Brooks Reed to one-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals have signed free agent linebacker Brooks Reed to a one-year contract, the team announced Saturday.

Reed was recently cut by the Atlanta Falcons in order to free up cap space, much like his teammate Robert Alford, whom the Cardinals signed on Thursday.

Reed, the Tucson native that played his college ball as an Arizona Wildcat, was selected 42nd overall by the Houston Texans in 2011 and had three tackles for the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

In 2018, he played all 16 games for the Falcons and started half of them while recording 24 tackles and a sack.

The eight-year veteran has a career 276 tackles, 21.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

His best statistical seasons are as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme rather than as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

The Cardinals will be looking to improve at outside linebacker as the team is going from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 scheme under new DC Vance Joseph and defensive end Markus Golden is expected to become a free agent in March.

Reed, the former Sabino High School Sabercat, turns 32 later this month.