Cardinals Add Dynamic Special Teams Weapon

The Arizona Cardinals look to put a bow on their first week of free agency with the addition of a special teams weapon.

The Cardinals are signing WR/KR Devin Duvernay to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Sources: Former #Bears All-Pro WR/returner Devin Duvernay is signing with the #Cardinals on a 1-year, $2.5M deal, negotiated by @ErikBurkhardt of @RocNationSports.

Aside from being an option at receiver, Duvernay is a key weapon for his field-position impact as a returner. pic.twitter.com/U8dfTYZwM1
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 15, 2026

Schultz also added, "Devin Duvernay helped flip field position multiple times with the Bears as a returner, helping turn likely losses into wins. Arizona is hoping to get some of that after all the one-possession losses they had last year."

That's certainly the hope, as Arizona's lacked a premium return man since the Patrick Peterson days. While Duvernay isn't quite on that level, he's established himself as a threat on special teams.

He's proven himself to be a dynamic weapon with the ball in his hands and has earned his reputation as one of the league's best special teamers for a reason:

Devin Duvernay gives the Bears a boost on this punt return 😤

GBvsCHI on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cCcgFPJDIR
— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2026

Arizona has their top wide receiver depth settled in Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, so Duvernay's role will likely be more on return duties. However, he's still a capable plug-and-play receiver when needed.

Duvernay, 28 years old, first entered the league as a third-round pick in 2020 with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2024, he inked a free agent deal to land with the Jacksonville Jaguars before landing with the Bears in 2025.

He's scored eight total touchdown in his career, two coming on kick return duties.

As a receiver, he's averaging 9.4 yards per reception and was sometimes used as a gadget player in the various offenses that featured him.

The Cardinals have undergone a bit of change within their special teams unit, parting ways with former return man Greg Dortch and long-snapper Aaron Brewer on top of hiring a new coordinator in Michael Ghobrial.

All under the watch of new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur.

“I have great familiarity and regard for him from our time with the Jets and I know he’s only continued to grow stronger as a coach in the subsequent years with the Giants. The enthusiasm he brings is infectious, which is critical for all coaches but especially on special teams. As a team, we will definitely benefit from his energy and experience," LaFleur said of Ghobrial.

Duvernay looks to revamp the Cardinals' special teams unit entering 2026. If he can bring any of the flashes from previous years over to the desert, Arizona could be in business.