emari demercado is moving from roster uncertainty to a new opportunity after Arizona declined to tender the running back as a restricted free agent, a decision that opened the door for him to hit the market and, soon after, agree to a one-year deal with Kansas City.
Why Arizona declined to tender emari demercado
The Arizona Cardinals chose not to tender emari demercado, a move that allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent. NFL insider Jordan Schultz also noted Arizona could still look to bring him back, even after declining to tender him.
Demercado’s time in Arizona spanned three seasons after he signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Over that stretch, he compiled 1, 143 total yards and four touchdowns. Last season, he recorded 44 carries for 312 yards and added 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
One play, however, stood out as the season’s most notable moment: a 71-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in which he dropped the ball before reaching the end zone. The play would have likely sealed a Cardinals win if it ended in a touchdown, but it instead sparked a Titans comeback win. In the aftermath, former coach Jonathan Gannon was fined later in the week for a sideline interaction with Demercado following the play.
What the Chiefs’ one-year deal signals for Emari Demercado
Kansas City is signing Emari Demercado to a one-year contract, with Jordan Schultz identifying the agreement. The signing comes after Arizona declined to tender him this offseason, which made him an unrestricted free agent.
Demercado, 27, originally joined the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2023 and previously signed a three-year, $2. 71 million contract that included a base salary of $915, 000 in 2024. In 2025, he appeared in 13 games for Arizona and rushed 44 times for 312 yards (7. 1 yards per carry) with no rushing touchdowns, while adding 13 catches for 101 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Arizona’s backfield picture after the decision
Arizona’s decision not to tender emari demercado arrives amid a backfield that already has key contract commitments. James Conner is under contract through the 2026 season, and Trey Benson remains on his rookie deal through the 2027 season. The Cardinals also have Bam Knight as a restricted free agent and Michael Carter as an unrestricted free agent.
With Benson under contract in 2026 and Conner described as a potential buyout candidate, the Cardinals are expected to address the position either in the draft or in free agency. The decision to let Demercado reach unrestricted free agency, paired with the possibility Arizona could still pursue a reunion, underscores a backfield in motion even as the team balances multiple contract timelines.
