NFL Notebook: 2025 Arizona Cardinals Preview

Remember about midseason in 2021? The Cardinals were rolling along at 8-1 and a Super Bowl contender. Since that point, their record is 19-40. But there were signs of hope a year ago. Head coach Jonathan Gannon, in his second year, doubled the team’s win total, going from 4-13 to 8-9. Now, Arizona looks to grind out some more improvement and get back into the postseason.

CALAIS COMES HOME

The great defensive tackle, Calais Campbell, spent the early part of his 18-year career here in the desert. Arizona signed him to a one-year contract. This is no merely sentimental return. Calais is still playing football at an exceptionally high level and will immediately strengthen the front of the Cardinals’ 3-4 defensive scheme.

It’s an area that needs help, because Gannon has problems at the inside linebacker spots, and there are no real playmakers and disruptors. We’ll see if Campbell can make a difference, both in terms of his personal production and through freeing up other pass rushers.

Any kind of pass rush will be a boon because Arizona is good in the secondary. Garrett Williams is one of the NFL’s top corners. Budda Baker is a Pro Bowl free safety. If second-round draft pick Will Johnson can quickly develop at the other corner, the Cards will have an elite unit.

KYLER’S COMEBACK FUELS THE OFFENSE

Kyler Murray had a nice comeback year from his ACL tear. He completely nearly 69 percent of his passes for a respectable 7.1 yards-per-attempt. He’s got Trey McBride, arguably the game’s best tight end (and now it’s highest-paid TE) as a prime target. McBride caught 111 passes a year ago. Marvin Harrison Jr. can stretch the field. Arizona could use some more depth at the receiver spot, but they have enough to compete.

And James Connor continues to quietly put together an excellent career running the ball. Connor racked up nearly 1,100 more yards a year ago and averaged a healthy 4.6 a pop. He did this behind an offensive line that’s something of a mixed bag. Hjalte Forholdt is a high-quality center and right tackle Paris Johnson is an emerging star. But there are holes elsewhere.

OUTLOOK

Betting markets have posted an 8.5 Over/Under for wins, making this a simple referendum—will Arizona get one game better or not? They have some promise, but the rest of the NFC West is going to be tough, particularly if the San Francisco 49ers have a rebound year. I’m reserving final judgment until we do our final predictions post just prior to the start of the season, but at this point, I lean slightly pessimistic on the Cards.