Arizona Cardinals add to defensive depth with addition of free agent linebacker

A former undrafted free agent, Barnes spent the first three seasons of his career with the Packers. Even during his rookie campaign, he received a notable workload which included 10 starts. His 52% snap share in 2020 was repeated the following year and it appeared he had developed into a rotational mainstay in Green Bay

Over the course of his first two seasons in the NFL, Barnes racked up 161 tackles and a pair of sacks. While his work in pass defense led to an unflattering PFF evaluation, he maintained an important role in a Packers’ second-level group, which was bolstered significantly by the arrival of De’Vondre Campbell in 2021.

Matters took an unfortunate turn this past season when Barnes, 24, was limited to just six games played due to an ankle injury. While he was able to return in November, his playing time took a noticeable step back once he hit the gridiron.

Barnes’ snap share dropped to just 37% on defense down the season stretch, as Campbell and first-round rookie Quay Walker saw the bulk of work for the team. It ultimately came as little surprise when Green Bay elected not to tender Barnes as a pending restricted free agent.

Now heading to Arizona, the linebacker will aim for a return to staring duties as he looks to mesh with Kyzir White, Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins and Blake Lynch in the positional room. Arizona has plenty of room for improvement in all aspects of their defense and a productive season would be beneficial to both player and team in this situation.