The Arizona Cardinals have officially cut linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither along with defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, moves announced as part of their roster adjustments in 2025. These decisions, aimed at freeing nearly $11 million in salary cap space, come amid concerns that the players’ on-field contributions did not align with their contract values.
Bilal Nichols’ Career and Contract Journey
Bilal Nichols, 29, entered the NFL after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft by the Chicago Bears out of Delaware. He completed his rookie contract worth $2.75 million before exploring free agency in 2022. Nichols then signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Following that stint, he secured a three-year, $21 million contract with the Cardinals. During the current season, Nichols only appeared in four games and recorded three tackles, underlining the team’s decision to release him.
Akeem Davis-Gaither’s Tenure with Arizona
Akeem Davis-Gaither, 28, was initially drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020 after a collegiate career at Appalachian State. After finishing his four-year rookie contract, Davis-Gaither briefly became a free agent but extended with the Bengals for one more year. Subsequently, he signed a two-year, $11 million agreement with Arizona. Throughout the 2025 season, he played in all 17 games, accumulating 117 tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one recovery, one interception, and five pass deflections. Despite these solid statistics, the Cardinals chose to release him as part of their financial restructuring.
Implications and Next Steps for the Cardinals
The release of Davis-Gaither and Nichols signals the Cardinals’ commitment to managing their salary cap aggressively to build a more competitive roster. Both players will now enter free agency, where their futures could include new teams seeking experienced defensive talent. For the Cardinals, these moves open opportunities to allocate resources differently for upcoming acquisitions and depth adjustments.
“It was a tough decision but necessary for the organization’s long-term success.” ?Steve Keim, Arizona Cardinals General Manager
