L.J. Collier, Roy Lopez signing with Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are signing defensive lineman L.J. Collier to a one-year deal, the team announced.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the deal is worth $2.5 million.

Additionally, Arizona is bringing back defensive lineman Roy Lopez on a two-year deal worth $11 million, including $7.5 million guaranteed, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Collier wrapped up his third season with the Cardinals in 2025, albeit from an abbreviated status due to a knee injury suffered in Arizona’s Week 2 win over Carolina.

The lineman was placed on injured reserve soon after. He returned for the final two games of the season.

In his four appearances, Collier made six tackles and two QB hits.

Lopez, meanwhile, spent last season with the Detroit Lions after stints with the Cardinals (2023-24) and Houston Texans (2021-22).

In 17 games played last year, he recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass defensed.

The pair now return to a DL room that includes Walter Nolen III, Darius Robinson and Dante Stills.

Arizona is still in the market to add to the position group, especially with Calais Campbell either testing free agency or retiring.

Collier marks the latest returning Cardinal this offseason, joining kicker Chad Ryland and punter Blake Gillikin, who are both back on one-year deals.

Running back James Conner and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting also revised their contracts to stick around another year.

Safety Jalen Thompson, however, is off to Dallas after agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with the Cowboys.

In addition to the returning Cardinals, Arizona also agreed to terms with quarterback Gardner Minshew and running back Tyler Allgeier on Monday.

Minshew is expected to back up Jacoby Brissett in the quarterbacks room, while Allgeier presents another option alongside Conner and Trey Benson at running back.

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