Josiah Deguara, a seasoned tight end with extensive special teams experience, joins the Arizona Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals are in the midst of a transitional era — one in which experience, leadership, and versatility are more valuable than ever. In signing former Green Bay Packers tight end Josiah Deguara, Arizona isn’t just adding another name to the depth chart. They’re securing a seasoned professional whose grit, football IQ, and multi-phase impact could prove vital in 2025 and beyond.

Deguara, 27, enters his fifth NFL season after spending his entire professional career with the Packers. Known for his reliability on special teams and willingness to embrace any role, Deguara represents exactly the kind of “glue guy” every roster needs. Now, with the Cardinals continuing to retool their roster around quarterback Kyler Murray and second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon’s vision, the addition of Deguara speaks to a deeper strategy — one focused on leadership, depth, and the less glamorous, but critical, aspects of winning football.

Drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 94 overall) by the Packers out of Cincinnati, Deguara came into the league with a strong reputation as a hybrid H-back/tight end with a high motor. At Cincinnati, he wasn’t a headline star but was deeply respected as a locker room leader and multi-faceted offensive piece.

His rookie season in Green Bay was off to a promising start until he tore his ACL just four games into the year. It was a setback, but one Deguara approached with maturity and resilience. He returned in 2021 and went on to play in 17 games, recording 25 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns — modest stats, but reflective of a player doing a lot of dirty work in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

Over the next two seasons, Deguara’s usage as a pass-catcher declined slightly, but his value elsewhere remained. He became a reliable blocker, especially in split-back and motion-heavy sets, and carved out a permanent role on special teams — a vital component for any non-elite tight end trying to sustain an NFL career.

The Cardinals’ decision to sign Deguara isn’t just about tight end depth — it’s a move that echoes the franchise’s desire to infuse the roster with high-character veterans who can contribute on multiple fronts. Arizona’s tight end room already includes rising talent Trey McBride, who broke out in 2024 as a legitimate pass-catching weapon, and Geoff Swaim, a veteran blocker with limited receiving upside. Deguara slots in perfectly as a complementary piece, capable of filling multiple roles without demanding touches.

In many ways, this is the kind of low-risk, high-reward signing that good front offices quietly build upon. Deguara’s familiarity with both West Coast and spread-style offenses will help Arizona continue to diversify its scheme. His ability to line up in-line, in the backfield, or in motion pre-snap adds a layer of unpredictability. And on special teams — where Arizona is aiming to shore up its return and coverage units — Deguara’s consistency and awareness could make him an anchor.

Often overlooked by fans but beloved by coaches, special teams are where many careers are made or broken. For Deguara, it’s been a proving ground.

In Green Bay, he was a regular contributor on kick return, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal protection units. While these responsibilities rarely show up in box scores, they are crucial to team success — and Deguara excelled in them. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as one of the Packers’ most reliable special teams players in each of his last three seasons.

Arizona’s special teams unit ranked 24th in the NFL in 2024, an area that directly cost them field position in several close losses. With Deguara now in the fold, the Cardinals have added a player who understands the nuances of gap control, leverage, and situational awareness — traits that don’t always show up on film but help teams win games.

Another reason Deguara’s signing resonates: his leadership. The Cardinals are still in the early stages of a culture transformation under Gannon, whose militaristic, detail-oriented approach to coaching demands discipline and accountability. Deguara, by all accounts, is a model professional.

In Green Bay, he was a favorite among teammates and coaches for his work ethic, willingness to sacrifice for the team, and mentor-like approach to younger players. While McBride is clearly Arizona’s TE1 of the future, he benefits greatly from having veterans like Deguara and Swaim in the room — especially when it comes to preparation, blocking technique, and route adjustment based on defensive fronts.

The Cardinals’ offense in 2025 is a work-in-progress, but one with intriguing upside. Kyler Murray is healthy again and working under a more balanced, play-action-based system designed to emphasize rhythm and quick reads. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has hinted at incorporating more 12-personnel (two tight end sets) to keep defenses guessing, a strategy that plays directly into Deguara’s strengths.

While McBride will command the majority of targets, Deguara’s ability to sell run fakes and leak out into the flat gives Petzing more flexibility on third-and-short and red zone packages. Don’t be surprised if Deguara quietly records a handful of key catches in high-leverage moments — much like he did for the Packers during his tenure.

Though the Cardinals have yet to officially release the terms of Deguara’s contract, early reports suggest it’s a one-year deal close to the veteran minimum, with a modest signing bonus. For a player who brings as much multi-phase utility as Deguara, the deal represents excellent value.

This isn’t a splashy signing. It’s not one that will dominate talk shows or fuel fantasy projections. But it’s the kind of savvy move that strengthens a 53-man roster — particularly when injuries inevitably test positional depth midseason.

When Deguara left Green Bay, the response from former coaches and teammates was uniformly positive. Matt LaFleur spoke of his “respect and admiration” for Deguara’s journey, noting that “he always did the right things and made others better.” That kind of endorsement — from a head coach known for his exacting standards — is no small thing.

Tight ends coach John Dunn, who worked closely with Deguara in Green Bay, echoed those sentiments. “He’s the guy who’s early to meetings, takes notes like a rookie, and leads by example. You wish you had a room full of guys like him.”

The Cardinals, while not quite ready to contend for a deep playoff run, are building something methodical. Their 2025 draft brought in a mix of high-upside defensive players and offensive depth. They’ve been judicious in free agency, opting for reliable veterans over splashy names.

Deguara fits neatly into this pattern. He won’t demand headlines, but he will help Arizona stay competitive in tight games. His presence gives Gannon and Petzing more chess pieces, especially on third downs and special teams — areas where the Cardinals lagged in 2024

If everything goes to plan, Josiah Deguara will be one of those players fans talk about as “more important than the numbers show.” His stats may be modest — 10-15 catches, a touchdown or two, a couple of key first downs. But his blocking, special teams contributions, and locker room impact could far outweigh his production.

He’ll likely rotate in as TE2 or TE3, depending on the formation, and contribute on every core special teams unit. His versatility gives the Cardinals insurance at multiple spots — not just at tight end, but as an emergency fullback or up-man in punt formations.

In short, he’s the kind of player who helps good teams become great. Or, in Arizona’s case, helps a rebuilding team climb steadily toward respectability.

Josiah Deguara’s arrival in Arizona won’t dominate the sports ticker, but it matters. It reflects a franchise that’s thinking strategically, valuing experience, and trying to build a more resilient, well-rounded team. For Deguara, it’s a fresh opportunity to extend his NFL career in a place that clearly values what he brings — on the field, in the film room, and in the community.

Sometimes, the best moves are the ones that don’t scream for attention. In signing Josiah Deguara, the Cardinals may have found a foundational piece for their locker room and a quietly impactful contributor in 2025.