If you’re waking up on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and looking for the Red Sea to take over your television, I’ve got some tough news. The Arizona Cardinals do not play today. Honestly, the season didn't go the way anyone in Glendale hoped. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing with heavy hitters like the Bears and Rams fighting for a spot in the NFC Championship, the Cardinals have been at home for a couple of weeks now. Their 2025-2026 campaign officially wrapped up on January 4th with a 37-20 loss to those very same Los Angeles Rams.
It’s a bit of a bummer, especially since there was so much hype around the roster last summer. But that's the NFL. One minute you're dreaming of a deep playoff run, and the next, you're looking at mock drafts and coaching rumors.
Why the Cardinals Aren't in the Postseason
The short answer? A 3-14 record. You just can't make the dance with three wins.
It was a grueling year. They started with some hope, grabbing wins against the Saints and Panthers early on, but things sort of unraveled as the winter months hit. Injuries played a role—Marvin Harrison Jr. ending up on IR was a massive blow to the offense—but there were deeper issues too. The defense struggled to get off the field, and the consistency just wasn't there.
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Because of that finish, the organization decided it was time for a hard reset. On January 5th, the team moved on from head coach Jonathan Gannon. It was a move that felt inevitable to some but shocked others who thought he'd get one more year to figure it out.
The Current State of the Search
Right now, the front office is in the thick of a coaching search. If you’re asking do the Arizona Cardinals play today because you’re looking for team activity, the "action" is happening in meeting rooms, not on the grass. They’ve been linked to a few interesting names:
- Robert Saleh: There’s been a lot of talk about his recent interview.
- Arthur Smith: Reports suggest they’ve reached out to the Steelers' OC.
- Defensive Specialists: They’ve been looking at a few coordinators to fix a unit that gave up way too many points in December.
What to Watch Today Instead
Since you can't watch Kyler Murray or Trey McBride today, you might as well see who’s winning the conference. The NFC is still wide open.
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Earlier this weekend, we saw the Seahawks dismantle the 49ers. Today, the spotlight is on Soldier Field where the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. It’s a bit of a "what could have been" game for Arizona fans, considering the Rams are a divisional rival and the Bears are led by Caleb Williams, who has definitely lived up to the billing this year.
On the AFC side, the Texans are battling the Patriots. It’s a full day of high-stakes football, even if the bird logo isn't on the screen.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft
The silver lining of a 3-14 season? The draft stock.
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The Cardinals are currently slated to pick third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. The last time they picked at No. 3, they took a guy named Larry Fitzgerald. That worked out okay, right?
There is a ton of speculation about what Monti Ossenfort will do with that pick. Some mock drafts have them looking at a new franchise quarterback, while others suggest they’ll take the best available defensive playmaker to shore up the line. Whatever the choice, it’s the biggest "game" the team has left on the calendar.
Key Dates for Cardinals Fans
- Early February: Coaching hire expected to be finalized.
- March: Free agency begins (expect a lot of roster turnover).
- April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft.
Basically, the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror. It was a tough watch, honestly. But the NFL moves fast. By the time the Super Bowl kicks off on February 8th at Levi's Stadium, the Cardinals will likely have their new leader and a blueprint for how to make sure we aren't asking "do they play today" during the playoffs next year.
For now, grab some wings, turn on the Rams-Bears game, and keep an eye on the ticker for any coaching news. The offseason is where the real work begins.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep tabs on the rebuild, follow the official Cardinals "Futures" tracker. The team has already started signing players to reserve/future contracts, including Jaden Davis. These are the guys who will be fighting for roster spots when training camp opens in July. You can also start scouting the top three draft prospects—specifically keeping an eye on the quarterbacks coming out of Indiana and Oregon, as they’ve been heavily linked to Arizona in early mocks.