The 2026 league year is coming up very soon. It officially begins at 1 p.m. Arizona time on March 11, with the legal negotiating period beginning on March 9 at 9 a.m. Arizona time.
The Arizona Cardinals have several roster decisions to make before then.
Advertisement
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 cornerback Star Thomas V.
Star Thomas V 2025 season
Thomas’ season ended before it could begin after suffering a torn ACL early in training camp on July 27. He had started 22 games the previous two seasons after being claimed on waivers by the Cardinals from the Lions at the cutdown to 53 players in 2023.
Star Thomas V contract status
The three-year contract Thomas signed as an undrafted free agent will officially expire on March 11. His salary was the minimum $1.03 million last season and he is scheduled to be a restricted free agent.
Advertisement
Star Thomas V offseason outlook
It is highly unlikely that Thomas will receive a tender as he continues the rehab for his knee injury. The minimum tender is $3.52 million. Because being on injured reserve does not count as a credited season in the NFL salary structure, he has two credited seasons, for which the minimum salary in 2026 is $1.075 million. If there is team interest in bringing him back, a contract could be structured for the minimum that includes significant per-game roster bonuses plus a roster bonus if he makes the opening-day roster.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Star Thomas’ contract status and 2026 offseason outlook