Arizona Cardinals Offseason Progress Report

Is the Defensive Overhaul going to work? Will Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. get on the same page?

Cardinals Star Tight End Trey McBride

Overview

2024 Record: 8-9

General Manager: Monti Ossenfort

Head Coach: Jonathan Gannon

Starting Quarterback: Kyler Murray

Key Extensions:

TE Trey McBride (4 years, $76 million, $43 million guaranteed)

Key Additions:

EDGE Josh Sweat, DL Calais Campbell, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, DL Walter Nolen, CB Will Johnson, DL Jordan Burch

Key Departures:

EDGE Julian Okwara

Offense

Offensive Coordinator: Drew Petzing

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 10th Success Rate: 6th PPG: 12th (23.5ppg)

Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):

QB Kyler Murray

RB James Conner

WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

WR Michael Wilson

WR Greg Dortch

TE Trey McBride

LT Paris Johnson Jr.

LG Evan Brown

C Hjalte Froholdt

RG Isaiah Adams

RT Jonah Williams

Offense Notes:

With Kyler Murray fully healthy and a newly drafted Top 5 pick receiver, expectations for the Cardinals offense were high going into 2024. For the most part, the team met those expectations. Hitting Top 10 marks in many offensive categories, including rush yards and touchdowns, helped the Cardinals take an early lead in the division standings. Unfortunately, after the bye week, the team collapsed a bit, allowing the Rams to seize the reins and take the crown.

Despite hitting high numbers last year, the Cardinals offense looks to be even better in 2025. The biggest hang-up for the team last year was not getting the most out of the star rookie receiver. Oftentimes, Murray and Harrison weren’t on the same page, leaving a lot on the field. In order for the offense to be even better, those two have to be able to connect more often.

Defense

Defensive Coordinator: Nick Rallis

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 26th Success Rate: 31st PPG: 15th (22.3ppg allowed)

Projected Starting Defense (Base 3-4):

DE Calais Campbell

NT Dalvin Tomlinson

DE Darius Robinson

OLB Baron Browning

OLB Josh Sweat

LB Akeem Davis-Gaither

LB Mack Wilson Sr.

CB Will Johnson

CB Max Melton

S Budda Baker

S Jalen Thompson

Defense Notes:

While the offense may have exceeded expectations, the defense dragged them down heavily. The Cardinals couldn’t get the defense off the field at all, allowing opponents to convert just under 44% of their 3rd downs, extending drives, and dominating time of possession. There were bright spots in the secondary, but the poor performance as a unit overshadowed these moments.

The aforementioned bright spots will have ample reinforcements this season. Between free agency and the draft, the Cardinals might have half of their defensive rotation this season come from new faces. One such addition, Josh Sweat, just won the Super Bowl in Philadelphia and has a rapport with Head Coach Jonathan Gannon. He can be a key piece in changing the culture to fit more of what Gannon wants.

Outlook

Overall, the Cardinals have a chance to make some noise in a crowded division. While they weren’t the winners or runners-up last season, there’s a lot to build on for this team, especially on defense. There may not be another unit in the league this year with so many new snap-eaters.

If the defense takes the step with a new infusion of talent, this team can be dangerous. It isn’t just a few upgrades; systemic changes at every level have been made. Combine this with Kyler Murray and MHJr. getting on the same page, and you’re cooking with gasoline.

Of course, there could also be an adjustment period, or the QB/WR tandem doesn’t improve, or any number of setbacks. However, out of the four teams in this division, the Cardinals have the most marked improvements in my opinion. This should be a team competing for the division down the stretch.

Expectation/Goal for 2025: Compete for NFC West, Wild Card

2025 Schedule

\(\begin{array}{c c} \textbf{GameWeek} & \textbf{Opponent} \\ \hline \text{Week 1} & \text{@ New Orleans, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 2} & \text{vs. Carolina, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 3} & \text{@ San Francisco, 4:25pm} \\ \textbf{Week 4} & \textbf{vs. Seattle, TNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 5} & \text{vs. Tennessee, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 6} & \text{@ Indianapolis, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 7} & \text{vs. Green Bay, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 8} & \text{-- BYE WEEK --} \\ \textbf{Week 9} & \textbf{@ Dallas, MNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 10} & \text{@ Seattle, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 11} & \text{vs. San Francisco, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 12} & \text{vs. Jacksonville, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 13} & \text{@ Tampa Bay, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 14} & \text{vs. LA Rams, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 15} & \text{@ Houston, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 16} & \text{vs. Atlanta, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 17} & \text{@ Cincinnati, TBD} \\ \text{Week 18} & \text{@ LA Rams, TBD} \\ \end{array} \)

Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST