GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals offseason if fully on its way. After firing head coach Jonathan Gannon, the team made its first move by signing former New York Giants kick returner in Ihmir Smith-Marsette to a future contract. The 26-year is a human highlight reel during his football career and looks to bring that dynamic playmaking to Arizona.
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Jun 17, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (87) during minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Smith Marsette’s career up till today:
The four-year Iowa Hawkeye became a marquee name for his kick returns. In 2018, Smith-Marsette returned two kickoffs to the house and won Big Ten specialists of the year. He finished his career with Iowa recording 110 catches for 1,615 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. At 6’1 with a 4.43 40-yard dash teams saw the potential he brought to any roster.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Smith-Marsette in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. Despite his sensational kick returning in college, Minnesota only used him in 15 special teams snaps during Smith-Marsette’s rookie season. He found himself on the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs for his next two teams, and again was limited in his special teams snaps.
Jul 23, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (87) participates in drills during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
On his fourth team, the Carolina Panthers, Smith-Marsette was finally used to his fullest skillset as a punt and kick returner. He had over 100 snaps on special teams and even recorded a punt return touchdown in Week 10, his first in the NFL.
In 2024, Smith-Marsette went to his fifth and final team in the New York Giants, where he appeared in every single game. The production remained around the same as in Carolina and was able to show off his return prowess. The highlight would come in Week 17 vs. the Indianapolis Colts, where he had a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown. The highlight play earned him special teams player of the week.
Smith-Marsette was on the Giants roster heading into preseason but was cut during the 53-man shrinkage. The Cardinals are bringing in the kick returner to bring some competition for Bak Knight, Greg Dortch and other punt/kick returners Arizona had on the roster last year.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
