Davis-Gaither agreed to a two-year, $11-million contract with the Cardinals on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The linebacker got a multiyear deal after playing on a one-year contract with the Bengals a year ago. In 2024, Davis-Gaither got a chance to start when Logan Wilson went out with a knee injury, and he finished with career highs in tackles (82) and pass breakups (four). He also picked off a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Akeem Davis-Gaither news
Team
Arizona Cardinals
Birthdate
9/21/1997 (27)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'2", 238 lbs
Draft Info
2020: Rd 4; Pk (CIN)
Birthplace
Thomasville, NC, USA
Position
LB
College
Appalachian State
Experience
5 seasons
Career History
Cincinnati Bengals
2020-2025
(5 seasons)
Davis-Gaither agreed to a two-year, $11-million contract with the Cardinals on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The linebacker got a multiyear deal after playing on a one-year contract with the Bengals a year ago. In 2024, Davis-Gaither got a chance to start when Logan Wilson went out with a knee injury, and he finished with career highs in tackles (82) and pass breakups (four). He also picked off a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Davis-Gaither recorded 82 total tackles, one forced fumble and four passes defended, including one interception, over 17 games in 2024. The 27-year-old filled in for the injured Logan Wilson (knee) in Cincinnati's linebacker corps, starting alongside Germaine Pratt for seven games this season. Davis-Gaither played a key role in the Bengals' defensive success late in the season, tallying 58 total tackles, two passes defended and one forced fumble across Cincinnati's last six games. He's now set to hit unrestricted free agency after posting career highs in total tackles, passes defended and interceptions in 2024. Expect Davis-Gaither to be a sought-after name on the free-agent market for teams in need of inside linebacker help.
Davis-Gaither recorded 12 tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 37-27 win at Tennessee. Davis-Gaither got his third straight start in place of Logan Wilson (knee) in Week 15, and he posted his third straight game with nine-plus tackles. He projects as an elite IDP option when Cincinnati hosts the Browns in Week 16.
Davis-Gaither recorded eight tackles (five solo) and a pass breakup in Monday's 27-20 win over the Cowboys. Davis-Gaither, who continues to start in place of the injured Logan Wilson (knee), also led the Bengals in tackles, with 13 (five solo), in the team's Week 13 loss to the Steelers. The linebacker played on 98 percent and 88 percent of the defensive snaps, respectively, in those two games, by far his highest snap counts of the season. Wilson is on injured reserve and likely out for the season, so Davis-Gaither should get to continue his opportunity over the campaign's final month.
Davis-Gaither tallied 13 tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 44-38 loss to the Steelers. Davis-Gaither got the start at linebacker Sunday due to Bengals' leading tackler Logan Wilson being sidelined with a knee injury. Davis-Gaither took advantage of the opportunity, tying Germaine Pratt for most tackles on the team while playing a season-high 65 defensive snaps. Davis-Gaither would be in line to start at linebacker in Week 14 against the Cowboys on Monday, Dec. 9 if Wilson was unable to progress through his recovery.
Davis-Gaither will start Sunday's game against the Steelers, NFL reporter Charlie Goldsmith reports. With the Bengals' leading tackler, Logan Wilson (knee), sidelined, Davis-Gaither will make his first start of the season. He's played a consistent, limited role thus far and logged a season-high 22 defensive snaps against the Panthers in Week 4. In 2022, Davis-Gaither posted a career-high 13 tackles across 53 defensive snaps against the Jets and had another double-digit tackle tally that same season, so he's proven worthy of IDP consideration with extended action before.
Davis-Gaither and the Bengals agreed on a one-year, $3 million contract Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. Davis-Gaither had a down year in 2023, recording a career-low 17 tackles while appearing in 13 games. The linebacker will now look to increase his production in 2024, sticking with the team that selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Davis-Gaither was questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup but has been cleared to return to action after missing the last four games due to his knee injury. He had a limited role on defense earlier this year, playing just 13 defensive snaps over the first three games of the season.
Despite the benefit of a Week 7 bye, Davis-Gaither will miss his fourth consecutive game as he recovers from a nagging knee injury. Markus Bailey should continue to see limited work in Davis-Gaither's absence.