Look: A former tight end for Cincinnati Josiah Deguara and the Arizona Cardinals sign a new NFL contract.

Josiah Deguara’s NFL journey has taken another promising turn. The former Cincinnati Bearcats tight end and longtime Green Bay Packers role player has signed a new contract with the Arizona Cardinals, signaling both a fresh start and a potential veteran lift to a young and evolving offense in the desert.

For Deguara, it’s not just another deal—it’s a new chapter in a career shaped by quiet perseverance, utility work, and a relentless commitment to the details of the game. And for the Cardinals, it’s a bet on a player who brings experience, versatility, and a locker room presence that head coach Jonathan Gannon believes can anchor a transitional roster.

Before he became a reliable blocker and occasional pass-catcher for the Packers, Josiah Deguara made his name at the University of Cincinnati. During his time with the Bearcats (2015–2019), Deguara became a staple in the offense under head coach Luke Fickell. He amassed 1,117 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns during his final two seasons, showcasing an ability to stretch the field as well as handle inline responsibilities.

Scouts didn’t project him as a flashy prospect, but he was lauded for his technique, work ethic, and football IQ. The Packers selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft—an unconventional move that reflected Matt LaFleur’s desire for a tight end who could play the H-back role in Green Bay’s Shanahan-style scheme.

Deguara’s time in Green Bay was defined more by steady contributions than big-time production. He played 50 games over four seasons, totaling 47 receptions for 436 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers don’t tell the full story, however.

He was used primarily in a hybrid role—part tight end, part fullback, part special teamer. He helped set edges in the run game, led on inside zone plays, and provided Aaron Rodgers with a check-down outlet during complex pass protections. But he never fully broke through as a featured tight end in the Packers’ offense, especially with the emergence of younger, more athletic targets in the passing game.

Injuries also played a role. A torn ACL during his rookie year in 2020 set him back, forcing a lengthy rehab. Though he returned to contribute in 2021 and 2022, the explosiveness and confidence seemed dampened at times.

Still, his coaches always spoke highly of him.

“Josiah’s the kind of guy you trust to know his assignment,” said LaFleur in a 2023 press conference. “He might not be the loudest guy in the room, but he does a lot of the little things right. Those are guys you need to win games.”

With his rookie contract with the Packers now behind him, Deguara hit the free-agent market looking for a new opportunity. The Arizona Cardinals, who are entering a pivotal second year under head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort, saw a fit.

The terms of the contract, reportedly a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million with incentives, reflect Arizona’s low-risk, potentially high-reward approach to veteran additions this offseason. While the Cardinals have a core of young offensive talent—highlighted by quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and second-year tight end Trey McBride—they lacked depth behind their stars.

Enter Deguara.

His ability to play multiple roles within a scheme—tight end, H-back, fullback, and special teams—adds flexibility to offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s toolkit. It also relieves some pressure on McBride, who broke out in 2023 but can’t carry the full positional load himself.

“We’re excited to bring Josiah into the fold,” Petzing said in a team statement. “His versatility, experience, and team-first mentality are exactly what we’re looking for. He knows how to compete, how to prepare, and how to lead.”

While McBride will remain the clear TE1 in Arizona, the Cardinals are hoping Deguara can serve as a stabilizing force in the tight end room—especially after the departure of veterans like Geoff Swaim and Zach Ertz.

McBride, who tallied 825 yards and 5 touchdowns last season, has blossomed into one of the NFL’s most exciting young tight ends. But Arizona’s offense leans heavily on multi-tight end sets and formations that require tight ends to play different roles.

Deguara’s ability to take on blocking assignments and play in motion offers the Cardinals the option to keep McBride more active in the passing game while Deguara handles the dirty work—blocking, chipping, lead-running, and route spacing.

The mentorship dynamic could be critical.

“He’s a guy who’s been around,” McBride said during a voluntary OTA session. “He knows the pace of the league, the routines, the preparation. I’m excited to learn from him.”

Beyond the offense, Deguara’s role will extend to special teams—a unit that Arizona continues to retool. He played over 500 special teams snaps in Green Bay, including on kickoff return, punt block, and field goal units. That experience makes him a valuable piece for Cardinals special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers.

Just as important is Deguara’s influence off the field.

In Green Bay, he was known as a film junkie and a weight room regular. In a young locker room like Arizona’s—where rookies and second-year players make up a sizable chunk of the roster—those habits can be contagious.

“Deguara’s not going to wow you with highlight-reel grabs,” said one NFC North scout. “But if you’re trying to change a culture and build around guys who do things the right way, he’s exactly the kind of vet you want in the building.”

The Cardinals finished 4-13 in 2023, but the record doesn’t fully reflect the growth Gannon’s team showed down the stretch. With Kyler Murray back healthy, a strong draft class led by Marvin Harrison Jr., and a defense that’s added toughness and speed, Arizona enters 2025 as a team with legitimate upside.

But progress in the NFL requires more than just young stars—it requires depth, accountability, and professionalism. That’s why Arizona has targeted veterans like Deguara to round out its roster.

His signing may not move the Vegas win totals or light up the highlight shows, but in terms of locker room chemistry and situational football, it could prove quietly crucial.

For Deguara, the Cardinals offer an opportunity to reset and reassert his value as a reliable NFL contributor. He’s only 27 years old, healthy, and eager to prove he still has untapped potential—especially in a system that might better suit his skill set.

If he can stay on the field and find his groove in Arizona, this one-year prove-it deal could serve as a springboard to continued NFL longevity. Whether as a rotational tight end, utility blocker, or veteran mentor, Deguara’s impact may go beyond the stat sheet.

And for the Cardinals, whose rebuild has entered a crucial phase, these are exactly the types of moves that often separate good teams from great ones.

Josiah Deguara’s signing with the Arizona Cardinals won’t generate headlines like some of the league’s blockbuster trades or splashy free-agent deals. But for those who understand the intricate chess match of building an NFL roster, this addition is one to watch.

He’s not here to take over. He’s here to help win—on offense, on special teams, and in the culture war every franchise quietly fights each offseason.