The 2026 league year is coming next month. It officially begins on March 11, with the legal negotiating period beginning on March 9.
The Arizona Cardinals have many roster decisions to make before then.
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Leading up to the new league year, we will profile every player on the roster, go over what they did last season, what their contract status is and what they face in 2026.
Next up is tight end Elijah Higgins.
Elijah Higgins 2025 season
Higgins was a steady but unspectacular part of the Cardinals’ offense. He played in all 17 games for the second straight season, starting 10. He had a career-high 30 receptions for 301 yards.
He also had 10 special teams tackles. He played a career-high 475 offensive snaps and a career-high 264 special teams snaps.
Elijah Higgins contract status
Higgins is in the final year of his four-year rookie deal. He was originally scheduled to make $1.145 million, but projects to get a salary escalator for his playing time to $3.6 million. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
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Elijah Higgins offseason outlook
Higgins appears to remain in the Cardinals’ plans for 2026. He was one of the players present for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new training facility that will open in 2028.
He is overshadowed by Trey McBride, but he would be a reliable starting tight end if he were on another team.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Elijah Higgins’ contract status and 2026 offseason outlook