GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals could be parting ways with starting running last season after latest decision. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported on Thursday that the franchise will not tender running back Emari Demercado, making him an unrestricted free agency. Less than a week remains before the start of free agency, and with Arizona releasing two players and not tendering Demercado, the Cardinals could be in line to spend money elsewhere this offseason.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) takes the field before their game against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 5, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Demercado enters free agency:
Demercado entered the 2025 season as RB3, behind James Conner and Trey Benson. Injuries to Conner and Benson in back-to-back weeks early in the year opened the door for the 27-year-old to get a bigger role in the offense. However, a fatal mistake in Week 5 saw his reputation get in the gutter. Demercado broke away for a 72-yard run for a walk-in touchdown, but he dropped the ball before the end zone.
Nov 16, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) exits the field during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Arizona ended up losing the game by one point and was the descent into a horrendous 3-14 season. Demercado isn’t all to blame, but he only had one game with more than 14 carries, delegated to being a third-down back despite the lack of depth. The third-year Cardinals RB had 312 rushing yards and 101 receiving yards last season and enters free agency for the first time since signing his undrafted deal for three-years, 2.7 million in 2023.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
