A look at the Arizona Cardinals’ gains, losses in 2021 NFL free agency

Mar 24, 2021, 9:55 AM | Updated: Apr 2, 2021, 8:40 am

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals entered the offseason knowing they would need to hit the grindstone hard in free agency.

A week after the free agent frenzy officially kicked off, the Cardinals look a bit different in more ways than one.

While it added to the defensive line and wide receiver room with the signings of J.J. Watt and A.J. Green, Arizona watched the secondary get even thinner with the departure of cornerback Patrick Peterson.

With the 2021 NFL Draft and start of the season on the horizon, here’s a look at how the Cardinals fared so far this offseason:

This story will be updated throughout the offseason with new signings and/or departures.

Arizona Cardinals 2021 free agent tracker

Biggest signing: DL J.J. Watt

(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

The Cardinals’ biggest splash this offseason is no doubt the addition of the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who signed to a two-year, $28 million deal.

Watt has registered 101 sacks, 172 tackles for loss, 61 passes defensed and 282 QB hits over the course of his 10-year career (128 games).

He now jumps in the trenches with new teammate and outside linebacker Chandler Jones, who’s compiled 97 sacks and 106 tackles for loss in nine seasons.

Other additions

CB Malcolm Butler

Deal: One year, $6 million
Former team: Tennessee Titans

WR A.J. Green

Deal: One year, $6 million
Former team: Cincinnati Bengals

C Rodney Hudson (trade)

Former team: Las Vegas Raiders

K Matt Prater

Deal: Two years, $6.5 million
Former team: Detroit Lions

G Brian Winters

Deal: One year
Former team: Buffalo Bills

OLB Markus Golden (re-signed)

Deal: Two years, $5 million

RT Kelvin Beachum (re-signed)

Deal: Two years, $4 million

QB Colt McCoy

Deal: One year
Former team: New York Giants

S Shawn Williams

Deal: One year
Former team: Cincinnati Bengals

OT Branden Bowen

Deal: One year, $660,000
Former team: Carolina Panthers

P Andy Lee (re-signed)

Deal: One year

G Max Garcia (re-signed)

Deal: One year

CB Robert Alford (cut and re-signed)

Deal: One year

LB Tanner Vallejo (re-signed)

Deal: Two years, $3.3 million

TE Darrell Daniels (re-signed)

Deal: One year

S Chris Banjo (re-signed)

Deal: One year

S Charles Washington (re-signed)

Deal: One year

LG Justin Pugh (re-structured)

OLB Kylie Fitts (tendered)

OLB Dennis Gardeck (second-round tender)

ILB Zeke Turner (right of first refusal tender)

Biggest loss: CB Patrick Peterson

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

After 10 seasons in Cardinal red, Peterson heads to the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year, $10 million deal.

He leaves the organization after amassing 28 interceptions, 91 pass deflections and 499 tackles. For his efforts, he was named to eight straight Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro three times.

Peterson in 2020, however, posted his worst coverage grade since his rookie year (53.1), according to Pro Football Focus. The corner also led the league in penalties with 12 and gave up 50 receptions on 75 targets.