logo
Former Arizona Cardinals draft pick Zach Allen lands 4-year, $102 million extension

Former Arizona Cardinals draft pick Zach Allen lands 4-year, $102 million extension

USA Today2 days ago
Allen, drafted by the Cardinals in 2019, had 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits.
A former Arizona Cardinals player just got paid. Denver Broncos defensive tackle Zach Allen agreed to a four-year extension worth $102 million, keeping him under contract through 2029.
Allen was drafted in the third round in 2019 by the Cardinals and played four seasons for them. In 2023, he signed a three-year contract worth $45.75 million.
He had a career year in 2024, making the All-Pro second team. He had 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits, all career-highs.
He was one of the biggest playmakers for the Broncos' seventh-ranked defense in terms of yards, allowing the third-fewest points in the league.
Now he will continue to anchor the interior of that defense, playing for former Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Countdown to Kickoff: Jonas Sanker is the Saints Player of Day 33
Countdown to Kickoff: Jonas Sanker is the Saints Player of Day 33

USA Today

time5 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Countdown to Kickoff: Jonas Sanker is the Saints Player of Day 33

Sanker is expected to be one of the key pieces of a rebuilding defense There are 33 days untouched the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals face off in the 2025 regular season opener. New head coach Kellen Moore will lead a squad with several new faces. One of those new players is rookie safety Jonas Sanker, who wears No. 33 and is our Saints Player of the Day. At the Covenant School in Virginia, Sanker was a three-star recruit who stayed in-state with his commitment to the University of Virginia. After playing little as a freshman, he'd record an interception and a forced fumble in more action during the 2022 campaign. Sanker was a full-time starter by 2023, with his 107 tackles leading the Cavaliers and 73 solo stops leading the ACC and 3 forced fumbles. He'd lead Virginia again in tackles in 2024, with 9 of those for loss including 2 sacks and an ACC-best 65 solo tackles with an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. Sanker was a back-to-back first team All-ACC selection in both 2023 and 2024. New Orleans used their second of two Round 3 choices in this year's draft on Sanker. Most effective in the tackle box, Sanker is an outstanding open field tackler expected to bolster a defense that ranked 31st last season against the run. In coverage, Sanker is best as a deep safety in two-deep alignments. With the retirement of Tyrann Mathieu, he'll likely see increased reps with other new additions Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon. Jonas Sanker is expected to be one of the major pieces and young building blocks of a rebuilding New Orleans defense.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers says Jared Allen is true single-season sack leader, not T.J. Watt
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers says Jared Allen is true single-season sack leader, not T.J. Watt

USA Today

time35 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers says Jared Allen is true single-season sack leader, not T.J. Watt

Aaron Rodgers may be letting his nostalgia for the NFC North get the better of him — as he recently supported Hall of Fame Vikings edge rusher Jared Allen as the single-season sack leader over his Steelers teammate T.J. Watt. In a recent congratulatory message posted on the Vikings' YouTube channel, Rodgers paid his respects to Allen for his Hall of Fame induction— but at the expense of Watt's 22.5 single-season sack-tying record in 2021. "You are the all-time single-season sack leader," Rodgers said in his message to Allen. "I don't care what the numbers say, because that phantom bull***t sack they took away from you would give you the record. So, in my book, and probably in most Vikings fans' books, you're the all-time single-season sack leader, my friend." Allen, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last Thursday, also believes he owns the single-season sack record — arguing that Watt's record-tying 22.5 sacks in '17 games' fall short of his would-be 23. Allen officially totaled 22 sacks in 2011, just a half-sack shy of the record — but both he and Rodgers are wrong about who truly owns the sack record. Not only did Watt tie the single-season sack record in just 15 games — one fewer than it took Allen to reach 22 sacks — but the Steelers star edge rusher was also seemingly cheated out of a sack in Week 18, which would have put him at 23.5 — half a sack more than the Hall of Famer's wishful 23. Rodgers' gesture to his former NFC North is kind in nature — but "phantom" sacks aren't listed in the record books — and even if they were, Watt would still be atop the mountain. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

OL Will Hernandez visits Arizona Cardinals
OL Will Hernandez visits Arizona Cardinals

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

OL Will Hernandez visits Arizona Cardinals

Former Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Will Hernandez could possibly become a current Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman. According to the NFL transaction report on Monday, Hernandez had a visit with the Cardinals. Hernandez spent the last three seasons as the team's starting right guard. He played in only five games last season, tearing is ACL against the San Francisco 49ers. His contract expired and has not signed a deal with any team since becoming a free agent. He recently announced that he has been fully cleared medically to play football. The Cardinals never reassigned the No. 76 he wore for three seasons, even though their sixth-round draft pick, guard Hayden Conner, wore it all through college. Clearly, the door has been open. Hernandez will be 30 years old before the season begins. The Cardinals appear to be happy with second-year guard Isaiah Adams as the starting right guard. The question is whether Hernandez would be willing to sign a deal to return and not be assured a starting role. Even in a reserve role, considering how injuries impact teams, having someone of his ability on the bench would be great for the team's depth. Having him on the roster would allow the Cardinals to hedge against injury or Adams not playing well. We will see if anything official happens, or if the Cardinals used this visit for a potential move down the line. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts. This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals bring in familiar face for visit

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store