The Arizona Cardinals are about to hit training camp on July 22, and one player they're clearly banking on is linebacker Jack Gibbens. The team just dropped a cool $7.5 million on him with a two-year deal this offseason, a move that screams confidence he can be a major factor. With a $2 million signing bonus and his $2 million salary fully guaranteed, the Cards are putting serious cash on the table for Gibbens to step up.
From Undrafted Gem to Veteran Force
Gibbens is rolling into his fifth NFL season, but this is his first with the Cardinals, and he's got a story. He broke into the league as a rookie free agent out of Minnesota, first signing with the Tennessee Titans. He spent three seasons there, playing in 29 games and getting 20 starts under his belt. His 2023 season with the Titans was legit, starting 13 of 14 games and racking up 95 total tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. That's solid production, right? Then last season, he linked up with the New England Patriots, proving his worth by playing in all 17 games and starting eight. His numbers kept climbing, logging 81 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, another sack, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and even a fumble recovery. He wasn't just a defensive guy either, playing 491 snaps on defense but also putting in serious work on special teams with 281 snaps. The dude brings it on every play.The Starting Job Is Wide Open
Here's the real talk: Gibbens is a lock to make this roster. No question there. But the big drama for camp is whether he can snag a starting gig. He's set to battle Cody Simon for that coveted starting spot right next to Mack Wilson. If he wins, awesome. If he doesn't, though, he's still going to be a key piece. The team expects him to fill a role similar to what Akeem Davis-Gaither had, which means plenty of defensive snaps and a heavy dose of special teams action. So, as the Cardinals gear up for the regular season, forming that roster and figuring out starting jobs, the focus will definitely be on that linebacker competition. Can Gibbens beat out Simon and solidify his role as a starter? Or will his impact be mostly felt on special teams? That's the question everyone's gonna be watching when camp kicks off.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.