The Arizona Cardinals came tantalizingly close to making the playoffs last season. They started the year 6-4 and looked to have a real shot at winning the NFC West, but five losses in their next six games doomed them to an 8-9 finish.
While their defense wasn't terrible -- they finished 15th in points allowed in 2024 -- it definitely needs improvement if they are to return to the postseason for the first time since the 2021 season.
On Monday, they signed linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither to a two-year contract worth $1 million, per Ian Rapoport.
Davis-Gaither, 27, was a fourth-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft. He had a bit of a breakout campaign in 2024 when he posted four tackles for loss, four passes defended, one quarterback hit, one forced fumble and one interception, as well as 82 total tackles (41 solo).
In four seasons at Appalachian State, he totaled 201 tackles and 6.5 sacks, and he was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.