If you’ve spent any time at a backyard BBQ in Phoenix lately, you know the vibe. It's usually a mix of "wait until next year" and "did you see that Trey McBride catch?" Being a fan of the Arizona NFL football team—the Cardinals, for those living under a rock—is basically a full-time job in managing expectations.
Honestly, the 2025 season was a weird one. Like, "setting a franchise record for losses" weird. The team finished 3-14, which sounds absolutely abysmal on paper. But if you actually watched the games, it wasn't just a lack of talent; it was a bizarre, unrelenting storm of bad luck and injuries.
The Gannon Era Ends Abruptly
It’s official: Jonathan Gannon is out.
Owner Michael Bidwill and GM Monti Ossenfort pulled the trigger on January 5, 2026, just one day after the season wrapped up. Gannon left with a 15-36 record over three years. That’s a winning percentage of .294, which, according to the record books, is the seventh-worst in NFL history for a coach with at least 50 games under his belt.
Why did it go south so fast?
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The season actually started with a ton of juice. The Cardinals came out of the gate 2-0 with wins over the Saints and Panthers. Fans were thinking, "Okay, maybe Gannon's culture is finally sticking." Then, the wheels didn't just fall off—the whole axle snapped. They went 1-14 the rest of the way.
That Insane Injury Bug
You can’t talk about the Arizona NFL football team without mentioning the medical tent. It was basically a revolving door in 2025.
Kyler Murray was lost for the season early on. Then James Conner went down in Week 3. Then the rookie sensation Trey Benson suffered a season-ending knee injury the very next week. Even Marvin Harrison Jr., the guy everyone was hyped to see, missed five games.
By December, the roster looked more like a "who’s that?" list than an NFL depth chart. When you lose your starting QB, your top two running backs, and your star rookie receiver, winning games in the NFC West becomes a literal impossibility.
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Silver Linings in the Desert
Despite the 14 losses, there were a few guys who played out of their minds.
- Trey McBride: This guy is a human highlight reel. He was a near-unanimous First-Team All-Pro selection and set the NFL record for catches by a tight end. He finished with 126 receptions for 1,239 yards.
- Budda Baker: The heart of the defense. Even when the score was lopsided, Budda was flying around, recording 120 total tackles.
- Jacoby Brissett: He stepped into a nightmare situation and actually played pretty well, throwing for over 3,300 yards and 23 touchdowns.
State Farm Stadium: More Than Just a Field
If you haven't been to Glendale to see the Arizona NFL football team in person, you're missing out on some cool engineering. The stadium has a retractable grass field—a single tray of Tifway 419 grass that weights a ton and rolls out of the building on 546 steel wheels.
It takes about 70 minutes to move. This lets the grass get real sunlight outside while the stadium floor stays open for concerts or trade shows. Plus, the place is 100% cashless now. If you’re heading to a game, make sure you’ve got your phone or a card, or you'll be hunting for one of those "reverse ATMs" to get a snack.
What’s Next for the Cardinals?
The coaching search is the big story right now. Names like John Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel have been floated in the rumors, though nothing is set in stone. The front office has a lot of work to do with a cap space situation that’s a bit tighter than last year—roughly $20 million to play with.
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They also have a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
People are looking at the defense specifically. While guys like Denzel Burke (3 interceptions as a rookie) showed promise, the unit allowed nearly 29 points per game. You can’t win like that, especially when your offense is playing catch-up with backup players.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the Arizona NFL football team this offseason, keep your eyes on these specific moves:
- Monitor the Head Coach Hire: Look for a candidate with a proven offensive track record to maximize Kyler Murray’s return in 2026.
- Watch the 2026 Draft Order: The Cardinals are locked into a high pick. Analysts suggest they need to target the offensive line or a dominant edge rusher like the ones coming out of Ohio State.
- Check Free Agency Cap Moves: With $20 million in space, watch for "futures" deals or veteran cuts to free up room for a high-impact cornerback.
- Follow Trey McBride’s Usage: He is the cornerstone of the offense now. Any new offensive coordinator will likely build the entire passing game around his record-breaking ability.
The 2025 season was a disaster by the numbers, but the foundation has some legitimate All-Pro talent. Whether the next coach can actually keep everyone healthy and on the field is the $100 million question in the desert.