Arizona Cardinals re-sign LB Tanner Vallejo to 2-year deal
Mar 10, 2021, 3:30 PM | Updated: Mar 17, 2021, 2:54 pm
Tanner Vallejo #51 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to tackle Cam Akers #23 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals made the re-signing of linebacker Tanner Vallejo to a two-year deal official on Wednesday.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $4.1 million.
Used primarily as a special teamer last season, Vallejo recorded a sack to go along with 26 tackles and two QB hits in 16 games played.
The Vallejo signing provides a trusted backup to Jordan Hicks for the Cardinals, who also have Isaiah Simmons under a rookie contract.
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Vallejo originally joined the Cardinals in 2019, recording seven tackles, two of which were for losses, a forced fumble and a QB hit in two games.
The linebacker got his NFL start with the Buffalo Bills as a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was released in 2018 before being claimed by the Cleveland Browns. He played 13 games with the Browns in 2018 before being released and later picked up by the Cardinals. He then went to Washington before signing on with Arizona’s practice squad. He was eventually elevated to the active roster in 2019.
The re-signing comes after the team decided against tagging outside linebacker Haason Reddick. Reddick hits free agency after leading the team in sacks (12.5), tackles for loss (20) and forced fumbles (6).
The team did, however, retain the services of OLB Markus Golden, who recorded three sacks, 23 tackles, four of which were for losses, an interception, two passes defensed and a forced fumble in nine games with Arizona in 2020.
