Ole Miss all-time sack-leader Marquis Haynes Sr. will be suiting up for his seventh training camp and likely a seventh NFL season in 2024. Only this time around it will be with a different team for the first time of his pro career.
On Thursday it was reported that Haynes signed a one-year deal worth $1.125 million with the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week, according to Aaron Wilson.
Haynes was originally selected by the Panthers in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, spending six seasons with Carolina. He finished his four-year, $2.9 million contract and was set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2022, but re-signed with the Panthers on a two-year deal that he also ended up finishing out this past season.
The Cardinals had two open roster spots after putting outside linebacker BJ Ojulari on IR and waiving-injured offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell at the outset of camp. The addition of Haynes gives them some solid experience on the defensive side of the ball amid the injury loss. In his six-year career thus far, Haynes has totaled 99 tackles, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, one touchdown, six batted passes and 14 sacks.
“(I knew him) a little bit, the tape, some of the character stuff when he came out (in the draft),” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said regarding Haynes. “Excited to add those guys into the mix.”
Haynes, 30, can provide some pop on third downs and has the reputation of being a positive add to a locker room.