GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals open the 2025 season with optimism rooted in real change. Quarterback Kyler Murray faces mounting pressure to deliver, head coach Jonathan Gannon enters a defining third year, and a reshaped roster — with explosive offensive weapons and a fortified defensive front — has fans in the desert hoping this is finally the season playoff football returns.
Murray Under the Microscope
Kyler Murray begins his seventh NFL season knowing the clock is ticking. The former No. 1 pick has dazzled at times, but his résumé still lacks a playoff win. Arizona improved to 8-9 last season with Murray back healthy after knee surgery, but inconsistency in key moments kept the Cardinals from breaking through.
This fall, Murray must show more than flashes. The franchise invested heavily in him to be the cornerstone, and he now has the strongest supporting cast of his career. If he can pair playmaking ability with leadership and consistency, the Cardinals’ ceiling rises considerably.
Gannon’s Third Year
Jonathan Gannon took over in 2023 with a defensive pedigree and a mandate to rebuild. Year 1 was rocky with Murray sidelined. Year 2 showed progress but ended short of expectations. Year 3 is different. The roster has been overhauled, his system is installed, and the results will define how this regime is viewed.
Gannon has preached toughness and balance, and the front office responded by reinforcing both lines of scrimmage. Now the challenge is translating a promising offseason into wins.
Offensive Weapons in Place
Murray’s arsenal has never been deeper. Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals’ 2024 first-round pick, enters his second season already looking like a No. 1 receiver. His size, route-running polish and ability to win downfield give Arizona a dynamic perimeter threat.
Tight end Trey McBride blossomed into one of the NFL’s best at his position last year, earning a Pro Bowl nod and a contract extension. His chemistry with Murray provides a reliable option over the middle and in the red zone.
In the backfield, James Conner continues to set the tone with his physical style and nose for the end zone. Though entering his 30s, Conner remains productive, with younger depth behind him ready to complement his workload.
Together, Harrison, McBride and Conner form a balanced trio of playmakers. For Murray, the challenge is clear: he has the weapons. Now he must maximize them.
Defensive Shore-Up: Walter Nolen, Josh Sweat and Darius Robinson
Arizona’s most aggressive moves came on defense, where the pass rush has been retooled.
The headliner is Josh Sweat, signed away from Philadelphia on a lucrative four-year deal. Sweat thrived in Gannon’s scheme with the Eagles and brings proven production off the edge. His speed and length immediately upgrade Arizona’s ability to pressure quarterbacks.
On the opposite side, Darius Robinson is listed as the starter. The former first-round pick out of Missouri had a rookie year interrupted by a calf injury but returns healthy and determined to make an impact. His blend of power and athleticism gives Arizona a promising bookend opposite Sweat.
Inside, the Cardinals spent their 2025 first-round pick on Walter Nolen, a disruptive defensive tackle from Ole Miss. A calf injury has placed him on the PUP list, delaying his debut until at least Week 5, but his potential as an interior force remains undeniable. In the meantime, veterans Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson hold the fort, providing both stability and mentorship.
With Sweat bringing pressure off one edge, Robinson emerging on the other, Campbell and Tomlinson anchoring the middle, and Nolen waiting in the wings, Arizona’s front four finally looks like a strength. For a team that ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks last year, that shift could change everything.
Reasons for Optimism
Last year’s 8-9 mark wasn’t glamorous, but it was a step forward. Murray stayed healthy, Harrison looked like a budding star, and McBride emerged as one of the best tight ends in football. With a reloaded defensive front and a maturing core, the roster feels more complete.
The schedule helps, too. Arizona is projected to have one of the league’s 10 easiest slates, with only four games against 2024 playoff teams. The NFC West no longer looks as daunting, with rivals San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles each navigating transitions.
Vegas reflects that cautious optimism. FanDuel set the Cardinals’ win total at 8.5, with playoff odds suggesting Arizona is firmly in the hunt.
Schedule Highlights
The Cardinals open Sept. 7 on the road against New Orleans, then return home for their State Farm Stadium debut against Carolina. A Week 3 trip to San Francisco and a Week 4 Thursday night game against Seattle will quickly test their progress.
The bye comes in Week 8, potentially aligning with Nolen’s return. Prime-time appearances include a Monday night clash at Dallas in Week 9 and a divisional rematch with San Francisco in Week 11. December is heavy with divisional matchups that could decide playoff seeding.
If Arizona starts fast against a favorable early slate that includes Carolina, Indianapolis and Tennessee, the path to contention will open.
The Bottom Line
The Cardinals have reached a tipping point. Murray must prove he can elevate a talented roster. Gannon must show his defensive rebuild can produce results. Harrison and McBride must continue ascending into stars. And on defense, the addition of Josh Sweat, the emergence of Darius Robinson and the eventual debut of Walter Nolen could redefine the team’s identity.
For the first time in years, optimism in Arizona is rooted in more than hope. The pieces are in place. Now the Cardinals must turn potential into wins.
