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Cardinals decline option on defensive lineman Nkemdiche, who will be free agent in 2020

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The Cardinals have declined to exercise the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, according to a report from NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Nkemdiche, the 29th overall pick in the 2016 draft, is now set to become a free agent in March 2020. His option would have cost the Cardinals $8.6 million next season. Teams have until Friday to exercise or decline fifth-year options on players who are entering their fourth year in the league.

The move doesn’t come as a surprise, given Nkemdiche’s production each of his first three years.