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 linebacker Cody Simon.
Cody Simon 2025 season
Simon was a rookie in 2025, drafted in the fifth round out of Ohio State. After Mack Wilson’s season-ending rib injury, he was thrust into a starting role as the team’s “Mike” linebacker.
He played in 16 games and started the final nine, all of which the Cardinals lost. He was the defensive quarterback while the Cardinals allowed over 30 points six times in those nine games.
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He played 564 defensive snaps and had a total of 76 tackles, two tackles for loss, half a sack, a quarterback hit, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
In 172 snaps on special teams, he had seven special teams tackles.
Cody Simon contract status
Simon enters Year 2 of his four-year rookie contract. He will make a little more than $1 million and count less than $1.3 million against the salary cap.
Cody Simon offseason outlook
Simon will surely be part of the Cardinals’ plans in 2026, although he will hopefully play more of a role on special teams than on defense.
With Mack Wilson returning, Simon could move into a starting role alongside him, or if they add a starter in free agency, he can become depth and a core special teams player.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Cody Simon’s contract status and 2026 offseason outlook