The Cardinals have prevented Evan Brown from testing the market. The veteran offensive lineman has a deal in place to stay in Arizona, Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.
This will be a two-year, $11.5MM deal. Brown operated as a starter in 2024, his debut campaign with the Cardinals. Handling first-team duties will be expected moving forward with a notable raise having been worked out.
Brown had roamed around the NFC over the past three years, playing for the Lions, Seahawks and Cardinals in that span. He had filled in for Detroit starters at center and guard during his time in the Motor City and stepped in as a Seattle center starter in 2023. Winning the left guard starting job in Arizona out of training camp, Brown started 17 games for Jonathan Gannon’s team.
Brown has yo-yoed between center and guard over the past four seasons. He was Frank Ragnow‘s primary injury replacement in 2021 before taking over at RG for Halapoulivaati Vaitai in 2022. The Cardinals added him with the intent on a guard path, after the Seahawks had used him as a replacement for the retired Austin Blythe.
Monday’s agreement also will bring a raise for Brown, who played for $2.25MM in 2023 and $2.35MM in 2024. Originally a Giants UDFA, Brown is going into his age-29 season. The Cardinals have given both he and center Hjalte Froholdt midlevel paydays to stick around on a line fronted by first-round left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and $15MM-per-year RT Jonah Williams. Will Hernandez is again a free agent, though the veteran RG has battled injuries during much of his desert stay.
Pro Football Focus graded Brown 30th at guard last season, and the Cardinals will keep supplying continuity for third-year OC Drew Petzing. With Brown coming back, Arizona is on track to have four of its five O-line starters in place for 2025. Hernandez re-signed with the Cardinals previously, but after he missed 12 games in 2024, the team may have some reservations about authorizing another accord.