When the Cardinals acquired Baron Browning in a trade from the Broncos during the 2024 season, they were encouraged with the kind of pressure the outside linebacker would bring.

He became a priority to re-sign for the team -- and that became a done deal prior to Browning reaching the open market, after he agreed to a new two-year contract on Sunday. It will be worth a reported $15 million, with incentives that could drive it higher.

Browning had two sacks, three quarterback hits and four tackles for loss in the eight games he played in for Arizona after coming over for a sixth-round draft pick. In four NFL seasons he has 11.5 sacks but the feeling is that he fits better in the Cardinals' defense than in the spot he was being asked to play in Denver.

Browning was one of five outside linebackers the Cardinals had on last year's roster about to enter free agency, which officially opens Wednesday with the negotiation window starting Monday. The others are Julian Okwara, Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje and Jesse Luketa.

The Cardinals will be getting back BJ Ojulari, who missed all of 2024 with an ACL injury, to help their EDGE group, but they are also expected to look at the position in either free agency or the draft -- or perhaps both.