A former Arizona Cardinals player from the last three seasons is departing. Running back Emari Demercado, whom the Cardinals chose to leave untendered as a restricted free agent, is joining the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Jordan Schultz.

Demercado will join former Seattle Seahawks running back Ken Walker in Kansas City as they remake their running back room.

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He made the Cardinals’ roster as an undrafted rookie out of TCU in 2023 and carved out a role as a passing-down/third-down running back. Last season, he played in 13 games and rushed for 312 yards, a career-high, and had 13 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

However, he will be remembered for a 71-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5 when he fumbled the ball before crossing the goalline.

It was wasn’t surprising to see the Cardinals decide to non-tender Demercado, as it would have cost the Cardinals more than $3.5 million to do so, but it was surprising they didn’t re-sign him, considering he thrived in that role. He had explosive runs. He pass blocks well. He can catch the football. He can return kicks and play other roles on special teams.

Of course, it is possible that he didn’t want to return. We don’t know if it was the Cardinals not wanting to re-sign him for less than the tender or if he wanted to move on.

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In three seasons, Demercado has rushed for 819 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt. He has 50 career receptions for 324 yards and a score, and he has averaged 25.0 yards on six kickoff returns.

The Cardinals’ running back room without Emari Demercado

The Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier and re-signed Bam Knight.

The running back room has the following players through the first few days of free agency:

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL free agency: Emari Demercado joining Kansas City Chiefs