Arizona Cardinals RB Michael Carter 2026 offseason profile
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 league year is coming next month. It officially begins on March 11, with the legal negotiating period beginning on March 9.
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The Arizona Cardinals have many roster decisions to make before then.
Leading up to the new league year, we will profile every player on the roster, go over what they did last season, what their contract status is and what they face in 2026.
Next up is running back Michael Carter.
Michael Carter 2025 season
Carter began the season on the practice squad for the second straight season. He became part of the active roster after James Conner's injury.
He played 13 games, starting four times, and finished the season 333 yards and a touchdown, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. He also caught 33 passes for 267 yards.
Michael Carter contract status
Carter will be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins on March 11, barring a contract extension. He made the league minimum of $1.17 million last season.
Michael Carter offseason outlook
Just looking at his production over the last two seasons and with the coaching staff changing, one would not expect the Cardinals to want him back. He was respected by teammates in the locker room, but that was under Jonanthan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
However, there is an outside shot that he could re-sign with the Cardinals because he has played for new head coach Mike LaFleur. LaFleur was the New York Jets' offensive coordinator during Carter's first two NFL seasons, his two most productive seasons in the league.
He had 1,654 total yards with LaFleur as his offensive coordinator. Since then, in three seasons, he has gained 1,076.
In any case, re-signed or not, he will have to compete for a spot on the roster and will have to be a longshot to make the team.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Michael Carter's contract status and 2026 offseason outlook