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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

Special teams unit could look quite different for Cardinals in 2021

The Arizona Cardinals have had stability in their special teams unit over the last couple of seasons. That could change this offseason.

Almost all their top special teams players are free agents.

Kicker Zane Gonzalez and punter Andy Lee are scheduled to be free agents. There is question as to whether the Cardinals want Gonzalez back, but his late-season replacement, Mike Nugent, is also a free agent.

Trent Sherfield, Dennis Gardeck, Ezekiel Turner, Chris Banjo, D.J. Foster and Charles Washington, all of whom have been core special teams in almost all their special teams units, are all scheduled to hit free agency.

Sherfield, Gardeck and Turner are restricted free agents. Gardeck is also recovering from a torn ACL.

If you also add Tanner Vallejo, who also will be a free agent, all their field goals, punts and 67 of their special teams tackles this season are all going to be free agents.

Aside from Gonzalez’ struggles last year in the kicking game, special teams has been pretty strong. That might change if they lose too many of these key contributors this offseason.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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