Crystal Lake South grad Dennis Gardeck agrees to new deal with Arizona Cardinals

Dennis Gardeck will be right where he belongs, with the Arizona Cardinals, for the next three years.

Gardeck, a 2013 Crystal Lake South graduate and Cardinals’ fan favorite, agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal with the Cardinals on Monday, according to AMDG Sports, the agency that represents him. The agreement was tweeted by ESPN reporter Adam Schefter.

Gardeck, a four-year NFL veteran, made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2018 mainly as a special teams contributor. He was a Pro Bowl alternate on special teams in 2019.

Cardinals' LB and special-teams standout Dennis "The Barbarian" Gardeck reached agreement with the Cardinals on a three-year, $12 million deal, per his agency @SportsAmdg.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2022

The Cardinals(11-7) lost to eventual the Super Bowl LVI champion Los Angeles Rams, 34-11, in their NFC Wild Card playoff game this past season.

Gardeck suffered a torn right ACL late in the 2020 season, a breakout year for him in the regular defense as he recorded seven sacks in only 93 snaps. Gardeck was recovering in training camp when he sustained a broken hand and was place on the injured list, missing three games.

When he returned, Gardeck (6-foot, 232 pounds) notched a career-best 23 tackles on defense in 14 games.

With his long hair flying from under his helmet and his motor constantly running at high speed, Gardeck is beloved by Cardinals’ fans. He also remains active in Phoenix and the suburbs in the offseason interacting with fans and visiting children in hospitals.