A defensive lineman, Nichols was part of a 2024 free agent class that has largely underperformed. Nichols played only 193 snaps over the past two seasons.
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The team's savings, per Over the Cap, amount to $5.8 million. According to The Arizona Republic's Theo Mackie, Nichols' $12.8 million in earnings with the Cardinals comes out to more than $1 million per tackle.
Kyler Murray of Oklahoma reacts after he was picked #1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019, in Nashville.
Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after converting a two-point conversion against the Detroit Lions during the final moments of the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Arizona. The Lions and Cardinals tied 27-27.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium.
(Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 15, 2020.
(Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during warm-up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Dec. 19, 2021, in Detroit, Michigan.
(Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles with the football in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 5, 2021.
(Quinn Harris/USA TODAY Sports)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks for a receiver against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Oct. 2, 2022.
(Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports)
Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Ramsduring the first half of an NFC Wild Card playoff football game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Falcons Wire)
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
(USA Today Sportsbookwire)
1/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Kyler Murray of Oklahoma reacts after he was picked #1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019, in Nashville.
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Kyler Murray of Oklahoma reacts after he was picked #1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019, in Nashville.
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after converting a two-point conversion against the Detroit Lions during the final moments of the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Arizona. The Lions and Cardinals tied 27-27.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
3/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
4/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium.
(Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images)
5/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 15, 2020.
(Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
6/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during warm-up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Dec. 19, 2021, in Detroit, Michigan.
(Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
7/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles with the football in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 5, 2021.
(Quinn Harris/USA TODAY Sports)
8/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks for a receiver against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Oct. 2, 2022.
(Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports)
9/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Ramsduring the first half of an NFC Wild Card playoff football game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Falcons Wire)
10/10
Arizona Cardinals release Kyler Murray. See his time in the Valley
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
(USA Today Sportsbookwire)
Releasing Davis-Gaither, a linebacker, will save approximately $5.2 million and will account for just $1.5 million in dead cap money. He was second on the team in tackles during the 2025 season.
According to a report, the Cardinals have also decided not to tender running backEmari Demercado, making him a free agent. Demercado, 27, had been a restricted free agent. He had 44 carries for 312 yards and caught 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown last season.
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NFL free agency begins its "legal tampering" period at 9 a.m. MST (noon Eastern) on Monday, March 9. At that point, teams are allowed to negotiate with pending free agents.
The new league year starts at 1 p.m. MST on Wednesday, March 11, when contracts can be finalized.
