Look, if you’re trying to pin down the Arizona Cardinals starting lineup right now, you’re basically trying to hit a moving target in a dust storm. It’s January 2026. The season just wrapped up with a thud—a 37-20 loss to the Rams— and the desert is currently a whirlwind of "what now?"
Jonathan Gannon is out. The coaching search is on. And the depth chart? It’s a mix of All-Pro locks and "who is that guy again?" situations. Honestly, it’s a bit of a disaster, but the kind of disaster that has a few shiny diamonds buried in the dirt.
The Quarterback Quagmire
Let’s get the elephant out of the room immediately. Kyler Murray. He spent a huge chunk of 2025 on the shelf again, this time with a foot injury. When he was on the field, it wasn't exactly fireworks. He finished with just 962 passing yards in a handful of appearances.
Because Kyler was out, we saw a massive dose of Jacoby Brissett. The veteran actually played well—throwing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns—but he’s 33 and a bridge quarterback at best.
Here is the kicker: the Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With Dante Moore heading back to Oregon, the draft board just got weird. General Manager Monti Ossenfort is staring down a $52.6 million cap hit for Kyler in 2026. Do they trade him? Do they draft Ty Simpson from Alabama? There’s no easy answer. If the season started tomorrow, you’re probably looking at a "healthy" Kyler or a rookie, but don't be shocked if Brissett is still the one taking snaps while a rookie develops.
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A Massive Year for the Pass Catchers
While the QB spot is a mess, the guys catching the ball are legit. Trey McBride is the heart of this team. No hyperbole—he was a first-team All-Pro this past season. He hauled in 126 catches for 1,239 yards. Those are video game numbers for a tight end. He is the undisputed TE1 and the best player on the roster.
Then there’s Michael Wilson. He finally hit that 1,000-yard milestone in the season finale. He’s become the WR1 by default because Marvin Harrison Jr. had a rough sophomore slump plagued by a heel injury.
- WR1: Michael Wilson (The reliable chain-mover)
- WR2: Marvin Harrison Jr. (Needs a massive bounce-back in 2026)
- TE1: Trey McBride (The literal GOAT of the current roster)
Greg Dortch is hitting free agency, so the WR3 spot is wide open. We saw a lot of Xavier Weaver and Jalen Brooks late in the year, but neither screamed "star starter."
The Trenches: Who’s Blocking?
The offensive line is... okay? Paris Johnson Jr. is the cornerstone at left tackle, but he finished the year on IR for the second straight season. That is a major red flag. When he’s healthy, he’s elite. When he’s not, the team has to rely on rookies like Josh Fryar.
Hjalte Froholdt remains the steady hand at center. He was the only lineman to start every single game in 2025. Around him, it’s a rotation of Isaiah Adams and Evan Brown. The right side is a total question mark with Kelvin Beachum and Will Hernandez both entering free agency.
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The Arizona Cardinals Starting Lineup on Defense
The defense is where things get truly weird. It’s a hybrid 3-4 base, but they spent most of the year just trying to find enough healthy bodies to play.
The Defensive Front
Calais Campbell’s homecoming was a feel-good story, and he actually led the unit in spirit, if not always in stats. But he’s nearly 40. You can’t build a future on that.
- DT: Darius Robinson (The 2024 first-rounder who needs to show more)
- NT: Dalvin Tomlinson (The anchor who actually stayed healthy)
- DE: Walter Nolen III (The rookie showed flashes but got hurt)
The Edge and Linebackers
Josh Sweat was the big-money signing and he delivered, but the other side of the pass rush is a rotating door. Zaven Collins is still there, basically doing a bit of everything, while Baron Browning and BJ Ojulari are trying to prove they aren't just "rotation guys."
Inside, Akeem Davis-Gaither was a tackling machine (117 total tackles), but he struggled in pass coverage. Rookie Cody Simon stepped in late for the injured Mack Wilson Sr. and looked surprisingly decent.
The Secondary: Budda and the Kids
Budda Baker is still Budda Baker. 120 tackles. Pro Bowl. He is the soul of the defense. Beside him, Jalen Thompson is a free agent, which is a massive concern for the front office. If Thompson walks, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson has to step up.
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At cornerback, it's a youth movement.
- CB1: Will Johnson (Promising rookie, high ceiling)
- CB2: Max Melton (Solid sophomore year)
- CB3/Nickel: Garrett Williams
Denzel Burke emerged late in the season, which might make veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting a cap casualty. Cutting Murphy-Bunting saves over $7 million, and given his injury history, that seems like a no-brainer for Ossenfort.
Special Teams Stability
If there’s one place fans aren't screaming at their TVs, it’s special teams. Chad Ryland recovered from a mid-season slump to finish 25-of-33 on field goals. Matt Haack did a service-level job punting after Blake Gillikin went down. Aaron Brewer is the long snapper—he’s been doing it forever and he’ll probably keep doing it until the sun burns out.
Why This Matters for 2026
Basically, the Arizona Cardinals starting lineup is a house with a great foundation (McBride, Harrison Jr., Baker) but a roof that’s currently on fire (Quarterback and Head Coach).
The team is sitting on the No. 3 pick. They have decent cap space ($27.1 million if they keep Kyler, way more if they trade him). The moves made in March will dictate whether this team is actually competing or just "rebuilding" for the fourth year in a row.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the March 12 Deadline: This is when the league year starts and Kyler Murray's roster bonus situation gets real. That date will tell you who the QB is.
- Monitor the Coaching Hires: A defensive-minded coach might keep the 3-4 system, but an offensive guru might overhaul the entire scheme to fit a new rookie QB.
- Free Agency Focus: Look for the Cardinals to target offensive guards and a veteran cornerback. They can't afford to start three rookies in the secondary again.
The roster you see today is a placeholder. By the time training camp rolls around in July, expect at least 30% of these names to be different. That’s just life in the desert right now.