We will preview every player on the Cardinals roster leading up to training camp. This is about RB DeeJay Dallas.

The Arizona Cardinals report to training camp on July 22 and begin the process of preparing for the regular season, forming the roster and determining starting jobs and roles on the team.

Leading up to the start of camp, we will take a look at every player on the offseason roster, their background, their contract, their play in 2024, questions they face and their roster outlook.

This focuses on running back DeeJay Dallas.

DeeJay Dallas background, 2024 season

Dallas enters his second season with the Cardinals. He signed a three-year, $8.25 million contract in the 2024 offseason with the Cardinals as a free agent after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

He was originally a fourth-round pick in 2020 by the Seahawks. In Seattle, he made a name for himself as a returner and special teams player. With the Seahawks in four seasons, he logged 599 offensive snaps and 949 on special teams.

In 2024, he averaged 30.6 yards on 15 kick returns and had a 96-yard return for a touchdown, the first of the 2024 under the “dynamic kickoff” rule. He played a total of 275 special teams snaps and then got 54 offensive snaps late in the season when there were injuries. He had 49 yards on nine rushing attempts and three catches for 11 yards, including a touchdown.

DeeJay Dallas 2025 contract details, cap hit

Dallas enters the second year of his three-year contract. He is scheduled to make just less than $2.4 million in salary and up to $255,000 in per-game roster bonuses. His cap hit in 2025 will be a little less than $3.1 million.

Questions he faces and 2025 roster outlook

Head coach Jonathan Gannon calls Dallas one of his “war daddies” for the team on the field and in the locker room. Can he continue to prove his worth in the return game and on fourth down, in addition to being able to produce offensively if called upon? As special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers expects the return rate to skyrocket to about 70% in 2025 with adjustments to the kickoff rule, having a stud returner like Dallas is valuable.

If he isn’t a lock for the roster, he is a clear favorite to be the team’s fourth running back, their primary kick returner and a core special teams player.

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