The desert is quiet. If you woke up looking for a kickoff time, a point spread, or a channel for the Arizona Cardinals today's game, you’re going to be disappointed. There isn't one. The 2025-2026 season for the Arizona Cardinals officially ended on January 4, 2026, with a 37-20 thumping at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams.
While the NFL playoffs are currently heating up for the lucky few, the Cardinals are back in the familiar territory of "early vacation." Honestly, it’s been a rough ride. A 3-14 finish doesn't just happen by accident. It takes a perfect storm of injuries, quarterback instability, and a defense that—let's be real—spent far too much time on the field.
For the fans who stuck through every snap, the lack of a game today is probably a bit of a relief. No more Sunday afternoon stress. No more checking the injury report every five minutes. But even though they aren't playing today, the "game" behind the scenes is moving faster than ever.
Why Arizona Cardinals today's game search is leading to a dead end
Basically, the season crashed and burned. When Kyler Murray went down with a foot injury mid-season, the air just left the balloon. Jacoby Brissett did what he could. He actually put up some decent numbers, throwing for 243 yards and two scores in that final Week 18 loss to the Rams. But you’ve seen this movie before. A backup quarterback can only do so much when the offensive line is a revolving door of practice squad call-ups.
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Look at the numbers. They’re ugly. Arizona finished the season on a nine-game losing streak. That is nearly two full months without a "W." They lost 14 games in a single season for the first time in the history of the franchise—and this is a team that dates back to Chicago in 1920.
- Final Record: 3-14
- Division Rank: 4th in NFC West
- Ending: 9 straight losses
It wasn't all bad, though. Trey McBride is an absolute monster. He ended the season with 126 receptions, extending his own NFL record for the most catches by a tight end in a single season. If there is a silver lining to the Arizona Cardinals today's game absence, it’s that we know the future of the offense has at least one cornerstone.
The Jonathan Gannon problem and the looming draft
People are talking. A lot. Jonathan Gannon is now 15-36 over his three seasons in Arizona. In the NFL, that’s usually where the seat starts to get hot. After the Rams game, Gannon didn't have many answers, only saying they "did that to ourselves."
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So, what is the team doing today instead of playing? They're scouting. With a 3-14 record, the Cardinals have secured a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The draft order for the top 24 picks was locked in following Wild Card Weekend (which just wrapped up on January 12), and Arizona is sitting pretty for a franchise-altering talent.
What to watch for in the offseason
- The Kyler Murray Question: He's signed through 2028, but with his recent injury history and the team's record, will they look to move him?
- Free Agency: Big names like Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson have uncertain futures. Budda made another Pro Bowl, but does he want to stay for a rebuild?
- Draft Strategy: Do they take a pass rusher to help Josh Sweat (who had 12 sacks), or do they go for another offensive weapon?
The roster is in total flux. We saw Michael Wilson cross the 1,000-yard mark for the first time, which is huge. But the defense gave up 37 points to a Rams team that wasn't even playing at its best. You can't win like that.
Actionable steps for the Cardinals "offseason"
Since there is no Arizona Cardinals today's game to watch, fans should pivot their attention to the upcoming milestones that will actually define the team's 2026.
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- Watch the Senior Bowl: This is where the Cardinals' front office will be looking for those mid-round gems to fix the offensive line.
- Track the Injury Reports: Kyler Murray’s recovery from his foot injury is the single most important storyline of the spring. If he isn't ready for OTAs, the Jacoby Brissett era (or whoever they bring in) continues.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on local Arizona sports media for news on Gannon’s staff. There could be major changes coming to the defensive side of the ball.
The 2025 season is in the books. It was a historic year for all the wrong reasons, but the path forward starts with the work being done in the front office right now. The game isn't on the field today—it's in the draft room.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the updated 2026 NFL Draft order to see exactly where the Cardinals land.
- Review the final 2025 stat sheets to see which "bubble" players like Josiah Deguara or Emari Demercado earned a spot for next year.
- Follow the All-Pro announcements to see if Trey McBride’s record-breaking season earns him first-team honors.