Cardinals release LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, DL Bilal Nichols
The Arizona Cardinals released linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols on Thursday, saving $11 million in cap space.
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The Arizona Cardinals released linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols on Thursday, saving $11 million in cap space for 2026.
Davis-Gaither was signed on a two-year contract last offseason after the Cardinals opted not to re-sign middle linebacker Kyzir White, a 2024 captain.
The 28-year-old Davis-Gaither quietly racked up 117 tackles this past season, second on the team behind safety Budda Baker. He added five passes defensed, an interception and two tackles for loss.
The cut of the linebacker on Thursday leaves $1.5 million in dead money on Arizona’s books but saved the team $5.2 million, according to OverTheCap.com.
At middle linebacker, Mack Wilson Sr. is still under contract, as is Cody Simon, who got plenty of run toward the end of the year as a rookie fourth-round pick.
Nichols joined Arizona two years ago as a rotational piece along the defensive line but tallied 10 tackles in six games before suffering a season-ending neck injury in 2024. He made it only four games with three tackles into 2025 before a knee injury ended his season.
The Cardinals signed Nichols to a three-year deal in 2024, partially because he’d been a healthy and productive interior lineman with one missed game in his prior four NFL seasons.
His departure leaves $2 million on the books in 2026 but saves Arizona $5.8 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com.
The Cardinals’ defensive line projects to lean on recent first-round draft picks Darius Robinson and Walter Nolen III, with veteran Calais Campbell a free agent. Veteran Dalvin Tomlinson could possibly return, but he is also an option to be released for cap savings.
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Comments
12 Comments
This isn’t surprising. Bilal was a waste of space, DT Jones should be cut to. Davis Gaither wasn’t that good, he was out performed by rookie MLB Cody Simon who has a really bright future, Simon and Mack Wilson will be our starting MLB Duo next year. Our cornerback room is loaded as well, we have so much young talent back there. Will Johnson and Denzel Burke are absolute studs and will take off next season, Max Melton really improved over the second half last season and Elijah Jones was excellent late last season when called upon. And we have a top 5 slot corner Garrett Williams healthy, he just has to get healthy. Our safety n corner room is loaded with young talents though.
Fine on Bilal-makes perfect sense..
But ADG had some decent games and is a thumper, and at 28 is in his prime..
I’m wondering if we could be moving Zaven back to the Middle.. I’d be ok with Mack, Collins and Simon.. IMO Zavens best year came in 2022 as a Middle linebacker
Smart. Obviously watched film and are getting rid of the dead weight. Thank you.