The Cardinals won’t have to find a new punter this offseason.
The team announced Tuesday that they have reached agreement on a two-year deal with punter Dave Zastudil that will keep Zastudil from hitting the open market when free agency opens in March. Zastudil averaged 45.7 yards per kick and had a net average of 40.1 yards in 2013 while tying for the league lead with 35 punts inside the 20-yard line. The gross and net numbers were down slightly from 2012, when Zastudil had another strong season booting the ball for the Cardinals.
Zastudil has the highest punting average in franchise history and said Tuesday that he had no interest in taking his talents elsewhere as a free agent.
“I know the nature of this business and free agency,” Zastudil said, via the team’s website. “I always wanted to be back and I made that known. When the Cardinals had a chance to re-sign free agents, I was hoping it’d be me. It’s been a great second home for me and I really wanted to come back and play there.”
With Zastudil re-signed, running back Rashard Mendenhall, tackle Eric Winston, wide receiver Andre Roberts, linebacker Karlos Dansby, safety Yeremiah Bell and kicker Jay Feely are the biggest impending free agents on the Arizona roster.