The Arizona Cardinals need another safety. Why? Budda Baker was just named to his fifth Pro Bowl. His running mate, Jalen Thompson, is a very good safety. So, what’s the deal?
Thompson is a free agent. Yeah, bummer.
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In 2019, the Cardinals drafted Thompson in the fifth-round. He proved his worth and inked an extension in 2022, which ran through this past season. Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort never offered another extension during the 2025 season that would have
kept him in-house. However, he might sign a new deal before the free agency period that begins March 9.
This past year, Thompson had 58 total tackles with six batted passes, one sack, and zero interceptions. He is a five-year starter and has been established as one of the league’s most reliable tacklers. He missed just five tackles this year and is considered a key starter.
But unless he is signed to an extension, he is currently a free agent. This means the Cardinals must replace him either in the NFL draft or through free agency.
Arizona will need to sign a seasoned veteran to fill the open safety spot. Make no mistake, another capable body must become a roster addition this offseason.
The 2026 NFL free agency period begins March 9-11. Here is a possibility for the Cardinals.
S Coby Bryant
Seattle Seahawks
PFF ranking: 65.5
NFL draft: 2022 Round 4, pick #109 (Seahawks)
Accolades: First Team All-American (2021), two-time First Team All-ACC (2020, 2021), Jim Thorpe Award winner (2021), Super Bowl Champion (2025)
2025 season: 15 starts, 66 tackles, 0 QB hits, 0 sacks, 4 interceptions, 7 batted passes, 0 pressures, 0 hurries, 0 knockdowns, 4 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 18 missed tackles, 17 receptions allowed
Bryant is part of a stingy Seahawks defense, but the issue in Seattle, despite just winning the Super Bowl, is that they have a lot of guys who just played in their contract year. And they can’t keep all of them. Bryant falls into this category, and it’s unlikely the Seahawks will be able to afford to keep him.
He is only 26-years old, so he has plenty of playing time ahead of him. Pro Football Focus ranked him as a top-30 safety.
Bryant is not the top safety available during this off-season, but if the Cardinals are looking for an affordable replacement that has had two solid seasons in a row, then he will fit the bill.
He is a smart player with long arms who has high-level zone awareness. Blessed with quick-twitch agility and a high football IQ. He has the ability to read the QB’s eyes and will time out his catch point jumps.
Bryant is very willing to help in run support, although he has a high number of missed tackles.
The knock on him is that he has only average speed and stiff hip transitions. He can be a bit overaggressive as well. But he is a sticky safety who is versatile.
By signing Bryant, Arizona will weaken one of its division foes.
