Jan. 10, 2026, 11:31 a.m. MT
The Arizona Cardinals did not make the playoffs. They are in offseason mode looking ahead to making changes on the roster, and they are looking for a new head coach. However, a few former Cardinals players find themselves in the postseason.
On Saturday, the second game of the wild card round has the Green Bay Packers against the Chicago Bears at Solider Field in Chicago at 8 p.m. ET.
Between the Packers and Bears, there are five former Cardinals split between their rosters and practice squads.
Who are they?
Packers QB Desmond Ridder
Ridder was recently signed to the active roster. He is their third-string quarterback. The Cardinals traded for Ridder in 2024 to be their backup quarterback, but Clayton Tune beat him out and Ridder spent time on the Cardinals’ practice squad before signing with the Raiders.
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Smith was drafted by the Cardinals in the sixth round in 2022.He played in 10 games as a rookie, didn’t make the team in 2023 and has bounced around a bit. He spent most of the season on the Packers’ practice squad and was signed to the active roster last week. He started one game for Green Bay.
Packers TE Messiah Swinson
Swinson spent a few weeks on Arizona’s practice squad this year. He was with the Packers previously and returned, now on the practice squad again.
Bears CB Jaylon Jones
Jones signed with the Cardinals last offseason as a free agent but did not make the team. He was with the Bears previously and returned to them after he was cut. He played in 15 games, logging 220 special teams snaps.
Bears S Jonathan Owens
Owens has been with the Bears for the last two seasons. He joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018, signing originally with the Cardinals. He got hurt in the offseason in June and spent the year on injured reserve. He spent the 2019 offseason and training camp with Arizona before getting cut.
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