Winning three games hurts. Losing nine in a row to end the year? That's a different kind of pain. Honestly, being an Arizona Cardinals fan right now feels like being stuck in a loop of "wait until next year," but 2026 is starting with more questions than answers. Jonathan Gannon is gone. The 3-14 record was just too much for Michael Bidwill to ignore, especially with the rest of the NFC West—the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks—all cruising into the playoffs while Arizona watches from the couch.
It's messy.
The Arizona Cardinals football news cycle is currently dominated by a massive head coaching search and the realization that the roster needs a total overhaul. We aren't talking about a "tweak" here. We’re talking about a team that went 0-6 in its own division. When you can’t beat your neighbors, you don’t have a house; you just have a yard people walk over.
The Search for a New Identity
With Gannon out, Monti Ossenfort is back at the drawing board. The list of interview requests is growing by the hour. We’ve seen names like Texans DC Matt Burke, Chargers DC Jesse Minter, and even some heavy hitters like John Harbaugh being linked to the desert.
It’s interesting, really.
The team seems to be casting a wide net, looking at guys like Mike LaFleur (Rams OC) and Klint Kubiak (Seahawks OC). They want someone who knows how the NFC West works. If you can’t beat ‘em, hire the guys who were helping them beat you, right?
🔗 Read more: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
But here’s the thing: whoever takes this job is inheriting a roster that looks like a triage unit. Kyler Murray finished the year on IR with a foot injury. Marvin Harrison Jr. had a rough sophomore slump, missing the end of the year with a foot/heel issue. Paris Johnson Jr. is dealing with a knee. It’s a lot.
What Happened to the Offense?
Let’s talk about the Kyler Murray elephant in the room. Before he went down, the numbers weren't exactly "franchise savior" material. He threw for under 1,000 yards in the games he played this year. That’s not a typo.
Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett was the one out there actually moving the chains for a chunk of the season.
There’s a real debate happening in local sports bars and Twitter (X) threads about whether the Cardinals should use that No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a new quarterback. It sounds crazy because of Kyler's contract, but when you're picking third, everything is on the table.
Bright Spots in the Gloom
- Trey McBride is a monster. He was a First-Team All-Pro for a reason. 126 catches? 1,239 yards? From a tight end? That is legendary stuff.
- Michael Wilson stepped up. While everyone was waiting for MHJ to explode, Wilson quietly put up a 1,000-yard season. He’s proven he can be a WR1 if the team actually has someone to throw him the ball.
- Budda Baker remains the soul of the team. Another Pro Bowl for the safety. He's the one guy you never have to worry about showing up.
The Draft and Free Agency
The Cardinals officially hold the No. 3 pick. The last time they picked there, they took Larry Fitzgerald. No pressure, right?
💡 You might also like: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
Most experts think they need to go defense or offensive line. You can’t have Kyler (or whoever is back there) getting sacked 59 times again. That’s just asking for more IR stints.
They also just saw eight players hit free agency from the practice squad, including guys like Trent Sherfield and Steven Sims. It's the "churn" part of the offseason. Ossenfort has been signing "futures" contracts—basically camp invites—to guys like Elliott Brown and Jaden Davis.
The 2026 Opponents Are Set
We already know who is coming to State Farm Stadium next year. The Eagles, Lions, and Broncos are all on the home slate. Road trips include a visit to the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs.
It’s not going to be an easy path.
The Detroit Lions, who won 15 games in 2024, are a far cry from the "Same Old Lions." Facing them at home will be a massive litmus test for whoever the new coach ends up being.
📖 Related: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
Reality Check: What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of national media types look at the Cardinals and just see a bad team. But it’s more nuanced than that. This team was competitive in several games before the wheels fell off. They lost by one point to the 49ers and the Titans.
The regression wasn't just about talent; it was about finishing.
Michael Bidwill made it clear: he saw a team that regressed. He saw other teams with new coaches turn things around fast, and he wants that "new coach smell" in Arizona. Whether that actually works or if it just leads to more instability is the $100 million question.
What’s Next for the Birds?
If you're looking for actionable insights on where this team goes from here, keep an eye on the coaching interviews this week. Jesse Minter is a name that carries a lot of weight because of what he did with the Chargers and Michigan.
Here is the immediate checklist for the front office:
- Hire a leader, not just a coordinator. They need someone who can manage the locker room culture, which felt fractured by the end of the nine-game skid.
- Make a definitive call on Kyler Murray. You can't go into the draft "maybe" wanting a QB. If you're moving on, you trade him before the draft. If you're staying, you build the wall around him.
- Address the "sophomore slump" of the 2024 class. Getting Marvin Harrison Jr. back to his rookie form is priority number one for the offensive staff.
The 2026 season officially starts in May when the full schedule is released, but the foundation is being poured right now. It's going to be a long spring in Glendale. Only time will tell if the third pick brings another Larry Fitzgerald or another Trey Lance.
Fans should watch the "Futures" signings closely; often, these depth pieces end up being the special teams' aces that save a game in October. The coaching search should wrap up by late January, and that’s when the real work on the 2026 roster begins in earnest.