Linebacker Kevin Minter will not be back with the Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter will not return to the team, according to Arizona Sports 98.7‘s John Gambadoro.

.@Gambo987 reports Linebacker Kevin Minter will not be back with the Cardinalshttps://t.co/1naZUEbDWn

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 10, 2017

The news comes as no surprise after the team announced the signing of linebacker Karlos Dansby on Friday.

Minter just finished up his four-year rookie contract signed after the Cardinals made him a second-round draft pick out of LSU in 2013. The 6-foot, 246-pound middle linebacker started every game in the middle of Arizona’s defense each of the last two seasons.

Over the course of his Cardinal career, Minter racked up 223 total tackles, five sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble.

He has not been linked to any other NFL franchises since the league’s free agency period began Thursday, although he did tell Sirius/XM NFL Radio in February that he’d like to play for a former coach.

FA LB Kevin Minter: I definitely wouldn’t mind playing in New York. Coach Bowles was the one who essentially drafted me. #Jets

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) February 22, 2017

Prior to the free agency period, Bill Williamson of All22.com speculated that the Oakland Raiders might be interested in Minter’s services.

Hearing #Raiders may be looking at MLB. Possibilities there may be Kevin Minter or Zack Brown. Oakland also looking at deep DT market,

— Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonNFL) March 8, 2017

He had previously stated at the conclusion of the 2016 campaign that he would like to finish his career in Arizona.

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