So, you’re looking at the calendar and asking who do the Cardinals play next week, right? Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird time for the Red Sea. We are currently sitting in the middle of January 2026, and if you’ve been following this season, you already know the vibe has been... well, let’s call it "challenging."
After a rough 3-14 finish to the 2025-2026 regular season, the Arizona Cardinals are officially out of the playoff hunt.
While the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are still duking it out in the Divisional Round this weekend, our guys are mostly likely at home, on a beach, or—more realistically—already meeting with management about what went wrong. There is no "next week" for the Cardinals on the field right now. Their season ended on January 4, 2026, with a 37-20 loss to the Rams.
Why there's no game on the books
It kinda stings, doesn't it? Seeing the playoff bracket filled with other NFC West names while Arizona stays stationary. The 2026 NFL playoffs are moving full steam ahead without us. The Divisional Round is happening right now, January 17th and 18th.
Since the Cardinals didn't make the cut, the answer to who do the Cardinals play next week is technically "nobody." They aren't in the Conference Championships on January 25th. They aren't going to the Super Bowl on February 8th.
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Basically, the next time we see this team in pads will be the preseason in August 2026. But that doesn't mean the front office is sleeping. In fact, for fans, the "game" has just shifted from the scoreboard to the draft board.
Who do the Cardinals play next week in the 2026 offseason?
If you're a die-hard fan, the "next week" isn't about a kickoff. It's about the roster. The Cardinals are entering a massive transition phase. Because they finished at the bottom of the division, they have a high-value seat at the 2026 NFL Draft.
We already know who the opponents will be for the 2026 regular season, even if we don't have the dates yet. The NFL released the opponent list on January 4th. Next year is going to be a gauntlet.
The 2026 Home Slate:
You've got the usual suspects like the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks. But the heavy hitters coming to State Farm Stadium are no joke. We’re talking about the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos. Plus, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders are scheduled to make an appearance.
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The 2026 Away Slate:
Road trips are going to be brutal. The Cardinals have to travel to Kansas City to face Mahomes. They also have to head to Dallas and New Orleans. It’s a 17-game schedule that honestly looks like a mountain to climb given how this year ended.
What about the "other" Cardinals?
I know, I know. Sometimes when people ask who do the Cardinals play next week, they are looking for the birds in St. Louis. If you’re a baseball fan, you’re in the "hibernation" phase too.
The St. Louis Cardinals aren't playing next week either. They are deep in the MLB offseason. However, spring training is actually right around the corner. Pitchers and catchers usually report in mid-February.
The first official Spring Training game for St. Louis is Saturday, February 21, 2026, against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. So, if you’re itching for a box score, you’ve still got about a month of waiting to do.
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The 2026 Draft: Arizona's real next opponent
The Cardinals’ biggest enemy right now isn’t a team on the schedule—it’s the clock.
With the 2026 NFL Draft order getting locked in as teams drop out of the playoffs, Arizona is in a prime position to rebuild. They need help on the defensive line, and the secondary was... shaky, to put it politely.
Most experts, including those over at ESPN and The Athletic, are already Mock Drafting for the top 5 picks. Since Arizona isn’t playing next week, fans should be keeping a very close eye on the college standouts who might be wearing cardinal red by April.
What to do while you wait
Since there is no game to watch next week, here is how you can stay locked in:
- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the 49ers and Rams. These are the teams Arizona has to beat twice a year to ever see January football again.
- Check the waiver wire: Offseason moves start happening fast. Keep an eye on local Arizona sports outlets like AZCardinals.com for news on coaching staff changes or player releases.
- Scope out 2026 Tickets: The full schedule with dates usually drops in May. If you're planning to see the Eagles or Broncos in Glendale, you'll want to be ready the second those tickets go live.
The season might be over, but the grind for 2026 is just starting. It’s a long wait until August, but that’s the life of a fan when the "next week" is empty.
To stay ahead of the game, start tracking the top defensive prospects in the 2026 draft class, as the Cardinals' first-round pick will likely be the most important move the franchise makes all year.