The Arizona Cardinals are hoping to change the course of their team. Naturally, having a healthy Kyler Murray return will raise expectations. The addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. to the roster also excited fans about the potential of this offense. However, one recent signing meant that the defense would be retaining some experience for the future: the Arizona Cardinals Sign Linebacker To Multi-Year Deal (Report)

The Arizona Cardinals and Zaven Collins reached a two-year contract extension, the team announced on Friday. The pass rusher’s current deal runs through 2026.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there is a $11.25 million guarantee included in the $14 million deal.

The signing announcement coincides with news that BJ Ojulari, a projected starter in his second season, tore his ACL on Thursday on Day 8 of the Cardinals’ training camp.

Collins’ deal was announced months after the team declined to pick up the fifth-year option of the 2021 first-round pick in April.

“We’ve been in talks with Zaven,” general manager Monti Ossenfort shared with Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo after deciding on the fifth-year option. “We’re very pleased with his progress and the versatility he adds to our defense. We want to retain Zaven, but the fifth-year option limits some cap flexibility.

“We’ll continue discussions as we move forward. We admire Zaven, his current performance, and his contributions to our defense, and we hope to keep him here for a long time.”

For the foreseeable future, the Cardinals defense secured a dependable starter. For their defense, the transfer was crucial, especially in light of recent injuries.

LB Zaven Collins and the Cardinals agree to a $14 million, two-year contract extension.

The Cardinals are locking up Zaven Collins before he enters his fourth NFL season.

Collins signed a two-year, $14 million agreement with the Cardinals, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. According to Rapoport, $11.25 million of the $14 million is guaranteed at signing.

Collins, a first-round pick from Tulsa, struggled in his first NFL season but began to improve in 2022, accumulating 100 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and six passes defensed. In 2022, he played over 1,000 snaps, and although his snap count dropped to 636 in 2023, he increased his sack total, snagged another interception, and earned his highest Pro Football Focus defensive grade to date.

Despite having the option to extend Collins for a fifth year, Arizona chose not to exercise it in the spring, positioning him for a prove-it year in 2024. This new deal offers Collins more security, keeping him under team control through 2026.

For the Cardinals, this contract retains a young linebacker with potential at a reasonable cost, reflecting their confidence in his future value.