It isn't fun to see an NFL player get released. It can be even more challenging when that player is a former Minnesota Vikings contributor who still has gas in the tank at 32 years of age and will be looking for a new team in 2026.
Signing a healthy contract as a free agent is both a blessing and a curse. While it's awesome to see players succeeding in their careers, that also means expectations skyrocket, and large contracts can become a target on their backs.
Arizona Cardinals release former Minnesota Vikings starting defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson
On Friday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared on X that the Arizona Cardinals have released veteran defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who spent 2021 and 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings before signing with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent.
The #AZCardinals have released veteran DT Dalvin Tomlinson, who had a cap number of $16.2M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2026
Now a free agent again, Tomlinson will be on the hunt for a team to call home for his tenth season in the league since being a second-round pick of the New York Giants in the 2017 NFL Draft and being named to the 2017 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
The six-foot-three, 335-pound defensive lineman has played in and started 142 games in his NFL career, accumulating 368 combined tackles, 70 quarterback hits, 39 tackles for a loss, 20 sacks, and eight defended passes.
Tomlinson played in all 17 games for the Cardinals last season. However, he was not as effective as Arizona likely hoped he would be when he signed a two-year deal worth $29 million after leaving the Browns as a free agent after the 2024 season.
For Tomlinson, 26 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass defense on 555 defensive snaps, costing $14.5 million for the year,salary-cap casualty this offseason, since the team is essentially undergoing a soft reboot, has to be disappointing. It makes sense for Arizona to make him a salary cap casualty this offseason since the team is essentially having a soft reboot this offseason.
Releasing the former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle saves the Cardinals $9.4 million. It gives Arizona more flexibility to improve other areas of its roster while shedding the large contract of a defender on the wrong side of 30.
Tomlinson will find a suitor for the 2026 NFL season. The only question is which franchise it will be. Some team will want a defender with his experience and be able to work out a contract that works for both sides, even if it's not likely to be the Minnesota Vikings.