One of the Arizona Cardinals’ many free agents this offseason is linebacker Ezekiel Turner. Will he be back in 2021?
Turner is an interesting case. He is scheduled to be a restricted free agent, meaning the Cardinals can partially control his destination if they offer him a qualifying tender.
He has been a special teams ace since he made the team in 2018 as an undrafted rookie. He was for the team lead with 15 special teams tackles, he blocked two punts last season and also caught a fourth-down pass on a fake punt.
In his three seasons with the Cardinals, he has only logged 28 total defensive snaps.
He is one of almost all the core special teams players who will be free agents this offseason. Can they afford to let him go?
An original-round tender will cost more than $2.1 million. That is a lot for someone who doesn’t do more than just play special teams.
It shouldn’t take that much to bring him back. New England Patriots special teams ace Matt Slater will make $1.75 million in 2021. Turner could probably be re-signed for something in the range of $1.2-$1.6 million per year if they want to sign him to a one-year deal.
He is a critical part of their special teams unit. He is one of the most versatile players on special teams. I expect him to be back in 2021.
Turners potential 2021 return: Likely
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