Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin (12) against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals bolster their special team unit by re-signing punter Blake Gillikin on a one-year deal. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Sunday that Gillikin and the franchise has agreed on a $2.65 million contract. The deal would’ve made him the 13th-highest paid punter in the NFL last year, behind Atlanta Falcons Bradley Pinion. Despite missing 12 games with a severe back injury, that forced him to be put on injury reserve, Arizona wanted Gillikin back on the roster for 2026.
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Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin (12) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Gillikin returns to Arizona:
First the kicker, now the punter for the #AZCardinals: Blake Gillikin has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $2.65M, his agents at @LIFTSPORTSMNGMT tell The Insiders. He missed 12 games with a back injury last season but is healthy now and Arizona moves to retain him ahead of… pic.twitter.com/WtKQziB1zq
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 8, 2026
Gillikin signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2021 as an undrafted free agent. In two seasons, the Penn State alum appeared in 34 games and punted 160 times 7,527 yards (47 yards per punt). The Cardinals were able to snag him in 2023 on a one-year deal, where Gillikin’s average punt rose to 50.6 yards. Following his first season in the desert, Arizona signed him to a two-year, $3.7 million deal.
During that contract, the 28-year-old appeared in 18 games, including only five last year due to injuries. Regardless, in those few appearances, Gillikin had 22 punts and led the league in yards per punt with 51.7. Five years into his career, Gillikin hold the all-time leader in yards per punt at 48.5.
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin (12) against the Washington Commanders at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
General manager Monti Ossenfort signed Gillikin all the way back during his first offseason and entering his fourth, he becomes one of his first moves in 2026. While injuries has minimized Gillikin’s impact, his monster leg can help swing games for the franchise next season if he stays healthy.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
