2026 Arizona Cardinals Season Outlook

The Arizona Cardinals enter the 2026 season beginning another major transition.

Arizona finished 3-14 in 2025 after entering the year with legitimate playoff expectations. Kyler Murray suffered a foot injury in Week 5 and never returned, leaving Jacoby Brissett to start the remainder of the season. Brissett threw for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns, but the Cardinals lost 11 of their final 12 games and dismissed Jonathan Gannon after the season.

Mike LaFleur takes over as head coach after coordinating the Rams’ offense. Arizona subsequently released Murray, signed Gardner Minshew II, retained Brissett and selected Carson Beck in the third round. The Cardinals also used the third overall pick on running back Jeremiyah Love, added several veteran offensive linemen and strengthened the defensive interior through free agency.

This is not a conventional rebuilding roster. Arizona has established offensive players in Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Trey McBride, a potentially excellent running game and several young defensive building blocks. The problem is that quarterback remains unsettled and the division includes the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers.

Offense

Quarterback

Arizona enters training camp with four quarterbacks:

• Jacoby Brissett
• Gardner Minshew II
• Carson Beck
• Kedon Slovis

Brissett should be considered the narrow favorite to start Week 1.

He handled a difficult situation reasonably well in 2025, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 94.1 passer rating was respectable, particularly for a quarterback operating within an offense that frequently played from behind.

Brissett’s strengths are well established:

• He protects the football.
• He is physically strong enough to extend plays.
• He can attack intermediate windows.
• He is willing to challenge coverage when necessary.
• He brings extensive starting and backup experience.

His limitations are equally clear. Brissett is unlikely to create an elite passing offense through individual brilliance. He can hold the ball too long, absorb unnecessary sacks and become overly dependent upon contested throws when the offense falls behind.

LaFleur’s system should help him. The Rams’ offensive structure has traditionally used motion, condensed formations, play-action and route combinations designed to define coverage before the snap. Brissett should have clearer reads and more opportunities to throw on rhythm than he did during portions of 2025.

Minshew provides another experienced starting option. He is more naturally aggressive than Brissett and can create through movement, but his risk-taking also produces more turnover exposure.

The competition between Brissett and Minshew may come down to what LaFleur values most:

• Brissett offers greater physical stability and ball security.
• Minshew provides more improvisational energy.
• Neither should be viewed as a long-term franchise solution.

Carson Beck is the developmental candidate.

Arizona selected Beck in the third round after he accumulated 43 college starts. His experience, size and arm talent give him a legitimate chance to develop into an NFL starter, but he should not be rushed merely because the veterans have limited ceilings.

Beck’s rookie priorities should be learning LaFleur’s protections, improving his performance under pressure and adjusting to the speed of NFL underneath coverage.

The safest projection is Brissett opening the season, Minshew serving as the experienced alternative and Beck receiving a developmental year unless the Cardinals fall out of contention early.

Running back

Arizona may have the deepest running-back room in football.

The Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love third overall despite already having James Conner, Tyler Allgeier and Trey Benson. Love was widely considered one of the most talented overall players in the draft and is expected to begin his career as the lead option.

Love brings:

• Exceptional acceleration.
• Long-range scoring ability.
• Receiving value.
• Patience behind zone-blocking concepts.
• Enough size to run through arm tackles.
• The versatility to align throughout the formation.

Arizona did not use the third pick on Love to limit him to a minor rotational role. He should lead the backfield in touches, even if the veterans remain heavily involved.

Allgeier was signed before the draft after serving as Bijan Robinson’s physical complement in Atlanta. He is a dependable downhill runner who can handle short-yardage work and protect a lead during the second half.

Conner remains one of the roster’s most respected veterans. His physical style, receiving ability and pass protection make him valuable, although his age and injury history make a reduced workload logical.

Benson is the forgotten player in the room. He still possesses developmental upside but now faces a difficult path to regular touches behind Love, Allgeier and Conner.

The likely division is:

• Love as the explosive lead runner.
• Allgeier handling significant early-down and short-yardage work.
• Conner contributing in protection, receiving and high-leverage situations.
• Benson competing for rotational touches and a longer-term role.

Arizona could use two-back formations and motion Love into the slot. LaFleur should also be able to create favorable play-action opportunities because defenses must respect the quantity and quality of the running talent.

The challenge is distribution. Keeping four capable backs active while giving each enough work may be difficult. A trade before the regular season would not be surprising.

Wide receiver

The top of Arizona’s receiver room is strong.

Marvin Harrison Jr. enters his third season still trying to become the consistently dominant receiver expected when he entered the league. He has already demonstrated vertical ability, body control and contested-catch skill. The next step is producing at a high level every week rather than appearing in isolated stretches.

LaFleur should move Harrison more frequently. Instead of leaving him attached to one outside position, Arizona can use motion, stacked releases and condensed formations to prevent defenses from pressing him with immediate safety support.

Michael Wilson emerged as Arizona’s most productive wide receiver in 2025. He caught 78 passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, earning the team’s offensive-player-of-the-year recognition.

Wilson’s development changes the offense. He has become more than a complementary boundary target. His size, route improvement and ability to catch through contact give the starting quarterback two legitimate outside options.

Kendrick Bourne was signed to provide veteran route-running and depth. He can play inside or outside and should be particularly useful on intermediate routes and third down.

The remaining competition includes:

• Devin Duvernay
• Simi Fehoko
• Reggie Virgil
• Harrison Wallace III
• Other developmental receivers

Duvernay has his clearest value as a returner and movement player. Fifth-round rookie Reggie Virgil should compete through speed and special teams.

The projected hierarchy is:

1. Marvin Harrison Jr.
2. Michael Wilson
3. Kendrick Bourne
4. Devin Duvernay or another slot option
5. Reggie Virgil or a special-teams receiver

Arizona has enough receiver talent to support competent quarterback play. Harrison’s development will determine whether the group becomes merely good or genuinely dangerous.

Tight end

Trey McBride is the best established offensive player on the roster.

McBride was nearly the unanimous selection as Arizona’s most valuable player in 2025 and remains one of the NFL’s premier receiving tight ends. His ability to separate, catch through contact and create yards after the reception gives the quarterback a dependable answer against both man and zone coverage.

LaFleur should feature him heavily through:

• Intermediate crossing routes.
• Option routes against linebackers.
• Play-action concepts.
• Slot alignments.
• Screens and quick throws.
• Red-zone isolation matchups.

McBride’s presence reduces the pressure on whichever quarterback starts. Brissett and Minshew both have histories of using tight ends and underneath targets when pressured.

Arizona added Teagan Quitoriano to strengthen the blocking depth. Elijah Higgins remains an athletic hybrid option, while Travis Vokolek and other players will compete for reserve roles.

This is a strong group because McBride can function as the offense’s target leader while the supporting tight ends handle blocking and special teams.

Offensive line

The offensive line has been substantially rebuilt.

Only Paris Johnson Jr. and Hjalte Froholdt were expected to return to the same roles from last season’s preferred lineup. Arizona added Isaac Seumalo, Matt Pryor, Elijah Wilkinson and Olisaemeka Udoh, then selected Chase Bisontis in the second round and Jayden Williams in the seventh.

The projected lineup is:

• Left tackle: Paris Johnson Jr.
• Left guard: Isaac Seumalo
• Center: Hjalte Froholdt
• Right guard: Chase Bisontis or Isaiah Adams
• Right tackle: Matt Pryor, Jonah Williams or another competitor

Johnson remains the foundational player. He has the athletic ability to become a high-level left tackle and must develop into a dependable blindside protector regardless of which quarterback starts.

Seumalo gives Arizona a proven veteran guard with experience in physical running systems. His leadership should be particularly valuable beside Johnson and Froholdt.

Froholdt remains the center and principal protection communicator.

Bisontis was selected 34th overall after starting 23 college games at guard. He is expected to compete immediately with Adams for the right-guard position.

Right tackle is the major uncertainty. Arizona added veteran depth, but it lacks a clearly established high-level starter at the position.

The line should be better in the running game because Seumalo and Bisontis bring power, while Love’s speed can turn small openings into large gains.

Pass protection is less certain. Brissett and Minshew both tend to hold the ball, so average blocking could still produce a high sack total.

Defense

Defensive identity

Arizona’s defense has several promising individual players but finished 2025 with significant problems against the run and in overall yardage allowed.

The Cardinals surrendered 6,081 yards and 2,158 rushing yards, creating a clear offseason need for more size and stability through the middle.

The front-office response was to add Roy Lopez, Andrew Billings and several rotational defenders while retaining the edge and secondary talent already on the roster.

Defensive line

Walter Nolen III is the defensive lineman with the greatest upside.

Nolen flashed disruptive ability during his rookie season before suffering an injury. His quickness and power give Arizona a potential interior pass rusher who can affect plays before they develop.

Roy Lopez returns after spending a season in Detroit. He is expected to anchor the interior and improve a run defense that was too easy to move in 2025.

Andrew Billings adds another large, experienced run defender. His role should be straightforward: occupy blockers, defend the interior gaps and make life easier for the linebackers.

The rotation also includes:

• L.J. Collier
• P.J. Mustipher
• Kaleb Proctor
• Damonic Williams
• Other developmental linemen

Fourth-round rookie Kaleb Proctor gives the Cardinals another developmental interior defender.

The group is deeper and heavier than last season. Its ceiling depends on Nolen becoming a consistent interior disruptor rather than merely an occasional flash player.

Edge rushers

Josh Sweat is the defense’s most accomplished pass rusher.

Sweat recorded 12 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles in 2025. He was one of the few Arizona defenders capable of consistently changing games through pressure.

Zaven Collins remains the most versatile member of the edge group. He can rush, drop into coverage, defend the run and move throughout the formation. Arizona’s defensive staff continues to value that versatility.

Baron Browning provides additional athletic ability, while Xavier Thomas and BJ Ojulari remain developmental options.

The Cardinals did not use a premium draft choice on an edge defender, which places greater responsibility on the returning group.

The likely structure is:

• Sweat as the primary pass rusher.
• Collins moving throughout the front.
• Browning contributing in pressure packages.
• Younger players competing for rotational snaps.

The unit is respectable at the top but needs another player to become a consistent finisher. Opponents will direct protection toward Sweat until someone else proves capable of converting isolated matchups.

Inside linebacker

Mack Wilson Sr. remains the leader of the linebacker corps.

Arizona’s defense declined after Wilson suffered a rib injury during the second half of 2025. His speed, physicality and communication are essential to the structure.

Jack Gibbens was signed to add experience and tackling reliability. His value should be greatest against the run and on special teams.

Owen Pappoe, Cody Simon and fifth-round rookie Karson Sharar provide additional competition.

Sharar’s special-teams ability gives him a realistic chance to dress early, while his tackling and physicality could eventually earn defensive work.

The room is more stable with Wilson healthy, but it lacks an established second three-down linebacker. Opponents will test the position with play-action, tight ends and receiving backs.

Cornerback

The cornerback room is one of the defense’s more promising areas.

Will Johnson enters his second season with the talent to become Arizona’s leading outside corner. His size, awareness and ball skills give the Cardinals a defender capable of matching high-level receivers when healthy.

Garrett Williams has become one of the secondary’s most versatile pieces. He can play the slot, cover outside and contribute against the run. His health is especially important because the defense becomes more flexible when he is available.

Max Melton remains another young outside option. Starling Thomas V was re-signed to compete for depth and rotational snaps.

The likely primary alignment is:

• Johnson outside.
• Melton outside.
• Williams in the slot or moving according to matchup.
• Thomas and other young corners providing depth.

This group has more upside than proven production. If Johnson develops into a genuine No. 1 corner, the secondary could become a team strength. Without that step, Arizona may struggle against the deep receiving groups in its division.

Safety

Budda Baker remains the emotional center of the defense.

Baker’s speed, tackling and willingness to play near the line of scrimmage make him one of the league’s most active safeties. His leadership is particularly important during another coaching transition.

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is a developing coverage player who can align deep or in the slot. His progression gives Arizona greater freedom to move Baker closer to the line.

Andrew Wingard was signed to add experience, physicality and special-teams value.

The group also includes Jammie Robinson and rookie Wydett Williams Jr.

Arizona can use three-safety packages featuring Baker, Taylor-Demerson and Wingard. That could help protect the linebackers in coverage and give the defense additional answers against mobile quarterbacks and athletic tight ends.

Safety is one of the roster’s more dependable position groups.

Special teams

Arizona retained much of its specialist operation.

Chad Ryland returns at kicker, while Blake Gillikin remains the punter. Casey Kreiter was added at long snapper.

Devin Duvernay is the most important special-teams addition. He has extensive experience as a returner and gives Arizona an opportunity to improve field position without exposing Harrison, Wilson or Love to unnecessary return duties.

Wingard, Gibbens, Sharar and several reserve defensive backs should become important members of the coverage units.

The Cardinals should be stable at punter and returner. Ryland’s consistency will determine whether kicker becomes a strength or remains a source of uncertainty.

Most important offseason additions

• HC Mike LaFleur: New offensive identity and overall direction.
• QB Gardner Minshew II: Experienced starting competition.
• RB Tyler Allgeier: Physical complementary runner.
• RB Jeremiyah Love: Third overall pick and potential offensive centerpiece.
• G Isaac Seumalo: Proven veteran interior lineman.
• OL Matt Pryor and Elijah Wilkinson: Starting competition and depth.
• WR Kendrick Bourne: Experienced third-receiver candidate.
• DT Roy Lopez: Starting-caliber interior run defender.
• DT Andrew Billings: Additional size against the run.
• S Andrew Wingard: Safety and special-teams depth.
• WR/returner Devin Duvernay: Immediate return-game value.
• G Chase Bisontis: Potential immediate starter.

Most important departures and changes

• QB Kyler Murray: Released after seven seasons.
• HC Jonathan Gannon: Replaced following the 3-14 finish.
• Several offensive linemen: Replaced during a broad reconstruction.
• DL Calais Campbell: His veteran production and leadership must be replaced.
• Multiple reserve defenders: Arizona shifted toward younger players and larger interior linemen.

Murray is the defining departure. Arizona has moved from a high-upside but expensive franchise quarterback to a veteran competition and developmental rookie.

The decision gives the Cardinals financial and strategic flexibility, but it also leaves them without a proven long-term answer at the sport’s most important position.

Draft-class outlook

Arizona selected seven players:

Round	Player	Position	Projected early role
1	Jeremiyah Love	Running back	Lead runner and offensive centerpiece
2	Chase Bisontis	Guard	Immediate starting competition
3	Carson Beck	Quarterback	Developmental backup
4	Kaleb Proctor	Defensive line	Interior rotation
5	Reggie Virgil	Wide receiver	Receiver depth and special teams
6	Karson Sharar	Linebacker	Core special teams and defensive depth
7	Jayden Williams	Offensive tackle	Developmental line depth

Love carries the greatest immediate expectations. A running back selected third overall should become one of the offense’s primary players immediately.

Bisontis may be equally important structurally. Arizona must improve the offensive line before it can fairly evaluate Beck or any future quarterback.

Beck is the long-term swing player in the class. If he develops into a capable starter, the draft could alter the direction of the franchise. If not, Arizona will likely return to the premium-quarterback market in a future offseason.

Schedule assessment

Arizona faces a difficult schedule with a particularly challenging opening.

The Cardinals begin on the road against the Chargers and then host defending Super Bowl champion Seattle. Six of their first nine games are away from State Farm Stadium.

Arizona faces:

• Six NFC West games.
• The NFC East.
• The AFC West.
• Detroit as a same-place conference opponent.
• New Orleans on the road.

The home schedule includes Philadelphia, Denver and Detroit in addition to Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The most difficult scheduling characteristic is the road-heavy beginning. A new coaching staff and unresolved quarterback competition must develop while spending most of the first half away from home.

The Week 14 bye is extremely late. Arizona must play 13 consecutive games before receiving a week of rest.

The late schedule becomes more favorable geographically. Six of the final eight games are at home, including the final two against Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Important schedule factors include:

• A road opener against the Chargers.
• Seattle in the home opener.
• Six road games in the first nine weeks.
• Multiple elite NFC opponents.
• A Week 14 bye.
• Six home games during the final eight weeks.
• A home finale against San Francisco.
• No current prime-time appearances.

Arizona has some winnable games against the Giants, Saints and Raiders, but the Cardinals also face numerous opponents with superior quarterback stability.

Final prediction

Projected record: 6-11

Projected NFC West finish: Fourth place

The NFC West is the primary reason Arizona’s projection remains modest.

The Rams possess the division’s most complete veteran roster. Seattle is the defending champion. San Francisco remains capable of winning double-digit games if healthy.

Arizona would likely project closer to seven or eight victories in a weaker division. Within the NFC West, it may struggle to win more than one or two divisional games.

The Cardinals’ realistic range is approximately 4-13 to 8-9.

The upper end becomes attainable if:

• Brissett provides efficient, low-turnover quarterback play.
• Love immediately becomes a star.
• Harrison develops into a dominant No. 1 receiver.
• The reconstructed offensive line performs near league average.
• Nolen becomes a consistent interior disruptor.
• Sweat receives more pass-rush assistance.
• Johnson and Williams remain healthy in the secondary.
• Arizona takes advantage of its late home schedule.

The lower end becomes possible if the quarterback competition remains unsettled, right tackle becomes a major weakness or the defense continues to struggle against the run.

Postseason probabilities

Outcome	Estimated probability
Make the playoffs	14%
Win the NFC West	3%
Earn a top-two NFC seed	Below 1%
Win first playoff game	27% if participating
Win divisional round	11% if participating
Win NFC Championship Game	4% if participating
Win Super Bowl LXI	2% if participating
Overall probability of winning Super Bowl LXI	Below 1%

These are analytical preseason estimates rather than sportsbook odds.

Most likely postseason result

The most likely outcome is an improved but losing season in which Arizona becomes more competitive while evaluating its long-term quarterback options.

The Cardinals have enough offensive talent to upset stronger opponents. Love, Harrison, Wilson and McBride can create explosive plays, while the running-back depth gives LaFleur multiple ways to control tempo.

The problem is that most NFC playoff competitors have superior quarterback situations and more established offensive lines.

A surprise playoff path would require approximately nine wins, a rapid adjustment to LaFleur’s system and significant underperformance from several NFC wild-card contenders.

If Arizona unexpectedly qualified, it would almost certainly enter as a low wild-card seed. The offense could make one game competitive, but winning multiple road playoff games would be highly unlikely.

Overall verdict

The Cardinals are rebuilding, but they possess more offensive talent than most rebuilding teams.

Their greatest strengths are:

• Jeremiyah Love’s elite running-back potential.
• Exceptional backfield depth.
• Trey McBride as a premier receiving tight end.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.’s upside.
• Michael Wilson’s emergence.
• Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle.
• Josh Sweat’s pass rush.
• Walter Nolen III’s interior potential.
• Budda Baker’s leadership.
• A young, athletic cornerback group.
• Six home games during the final eight weeks.

The principal risks are:

• No established franchise quarterback.
• A three-player realistic quarterback competition.
• Brissett and Minshew’s limited ceilings.
• Right-tackle uncertainty.
• Integrating multiple new offensive linemen.
• Finding enough touches for four running backs.
• Limited pass-rush production beyond Sweat.
• A defense that allowed more than 2,100 rushing yards in 2025.
• Heavy reliance on young cornerbacks.
• A road-heavy opening schedule.
• A very late bye.
• Playing in the NFL’s strongest projected division.

Final forecast: 6-11, fourth in the NFC West and outside the playoffs.

Arizona should be better coached offensively and more difficult to defend than it was during its 3-14 season. Love has Offensive Rookie of the Year potential, while Harrison, Wilson and McBride give the passing game a credible foundation.

The season’s most important outcome is not the final record. It is whether LaFleur can establish a functioning offensive system, whether Beck shows starting potential and whether Love, Johnson, Harrison, Nolen and the young secondary become the foundation of Arizona’s next competitive team.