Cardinals signing kick returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette

The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to terms with wide receiver and return specialist Ihmir Smith-Marsette on a future contract on Wednesday.

Smith-Marsette, 26, has had a knack for the home run since his college days at Iowa. He returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in 2024 with the New York Giants, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He returned a punt for a touchdown in 2023 for the Carolina Panthers and he won Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year in 2018 after returning two kickoffs for touchdowns.

He has not played in an NFL game since 2024, however, as he spent all of 2025 on the Giants’ practice squad.

His last catch was back in 2023 with Carolina, when he played 17 games and caught eight passes for 51 yards. Smith-Marsette only played seven offensive snaps the following year.

To the house! 🏠

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/oEsssIPhHV

— New York Giants (@Giants) December 29, 2024

The Cardinals as a team ranked 24th in yards per kick return and 11th in yards per punt return in 2025.

Wide receiver Greg Dortch handled most of the returns until he went on injured reserve with a season-ending chest injury on Dec. 6. Dortch is an unrestricted free agent this offseason after spending the last five years in Arizona.

The Cardinals previously signed practice squad cornerback Jaden Davis, wide receiver Bryson Green, linebacker Elliott Brown and linebacker Eku Leota to futures deals.

Teams have been able to sign free agents for the 2026 season as of Jan. 5, which does not include players under contract who will be free agents when the league new year begins on March 11.

Related

Cardinals head-coaching candidates: Klint Kubiak to reportedly take Raiders jobJohn Harbaugh reportedly has interviews with 3 teams this week, Cardinals not on 'inside track'Bubble watch: Notable Cardinals in danger of 53-man roster cutsCalais Campbell says football brings him joy amid family tragedyJacoby Brissett on Cardinals’ offensive firepower: ‘It presents a lot of problems for teams’Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is trending up, and it’s not by surprise