NFL veteran linebacker Kyzir White signed a new contract with the Arizona Cardinals. White spent 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles. White spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Breaking: FA LB Kyzir White is signing a two-year, $11M max deal with the #AZCardinals, sources tell @theScore.
White played a crucial role in the #Eagles’ defense last season, totaling 110 tackles, 7 PBUs and 3 TFLs.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2023
Kyzir White, Arizona Cardinals, Agree to Contract
White was second on the Eagles in total tackles in 2022. His impact on the defense was felt all over the field both in coverage and in tackling. He chased down Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl prior to the controversial holding penalty the following play.
Despite being recruited to play safety in college, White continued to bulk up and used his tackling instincts to move to linebacker after the 2018 NFL Draft. He was selected in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Chargers and shot up the depth chart throughout minicamp. Originally drafted as a depth piece, White started week one and was a key contributor until being placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
White played 27 games over the next two seasons and started in 17 of them. He improved in every major category including tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks. In 2020 White finished the season with 77 combined tackles and a half sack.
The West Virginia alum broke out in a big way in 2021. That is, he led the Chargers in tackles and finished eighth in total tackles in the NFL. Compared to 2020, White cleaned up his tackling and became a dominant linebacker. His missed tackle percentages went from over 11 percent to only five percent. This breakout campaign resulted in his contract with the Eagles in 2022.
White could probably have gotten more money and more playing time at 30 other teams in the NFL, but the Macungie, PA native wanted to go to Philly and play for his hometown team. His one-year, $5 million contract was tiny in comparison to other linebackers on the market.
Main Photo: Bill Streicher – USA Today Sports
