2025 marked the ninth time in the last 10 years that the Cardinals failed to finish with a record north of .500. There were a few highlights, notably Trey McBride's first-team All-Pro campaign and Michael Wilson's second-half breakout, but all in all, this was anyone's idea of a bad football team:

• 2025: 3-14 (-133 point differential, preseason win total: 8.5)
• Points per game: 20.9 (23rd)
• EPA per pass: +0.04 (20th)
• EPA per rush: -0.14 (29th)
• Points per game against: 28.7 (29th)
• EPA per pass against: +0.18 (26th)
• EPA per rush against: -0.04 (22nd)

Fast forward to 2026, and this team has little direction at the moment due to the new coaching staff and uncertainty surrounding Kyler Murray's long-term future with the team. The good news is that marquee improvements through the draft are possible thanks to possessing early picks at No. 3, 34 and 65, and this is also one of just 11 teams with north of $30 million available in cap space. The bad news is there are a LOT of holes to fill in this deeply flawed roster.

What Do The Arizona Cardinals Need To Address In The 2026 Offseason?

Need 1: Quarterback

Kyler Murray has had some real highs during his seven-year career, and he remains one of the most dynamic rushing threats that the position has to offer. Unfortunately, consistently moving the ball through the air in an efficient manner has been a struggle in six of his seven career seasons:

• 2019: 6.9 (25th)
• 2020: 7.1 (26th)
• 2021: 7.9 (4th)
• 2022: 6.1 (39th)
• 2023: 6.7 (29th)
• 2024: 7.1 (20th)
• 2025: 6 (37th)

Barring a trade, the Cardinals can't realistically get out of Murray's contract without inheriting a ton of dead money before 2027.

And then there's Jacoby Brissett. Wins aren't a QB stat, but it's not ideal that the veteran has captured just two in 17 starts over the last two seasons. A lot of Brissett's 2025 production was thanks to a pass-happy offense constantly in comeback mode. Any sort of commitment past a one-year bridge-starter sort of deal would be ill-advised.

Sitting tight with the status quo for another season might be the team's best option given the draft's seemingly lackluster crop of quarterbacks, but that certainly won't make Arizona faithful feel great about their 2026 prospects.

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Need 2: Offensive Line

Tackles Jonah Williams (nine starts in 2025) and Kelvin Beachum (11) join guard Will Hernandez (seven) as free agents, leaving the Cardinals with the league's fifth-cheapest offensive line entering 2025. Getting LT Paris Johnson (torn MCL) back will help, but this group simply hasn't been a strength in quite some time.

• 2025: PFF's 26th-ranked offensive line
• 2024: 16th
• 2023: 25th
• 2022: 24th
• 2021: 15th

Johnson joins 2024 third-rounder Isaiah Adams as the only two offensive linemen the Cardinals have taken inside Rounds 1-3 during the last five drafts combined. A stronger nucleus up front will go a long way towards helping whoever winds up under center for this offense in 2026.

Need 3: Defensive Line

40-year-old veteran Calais Campbell joins EDGE L.J. Collier as free agents. 2025 first-rounder Walter Nolen flashed during limited action, but unfortunately, his season-ending knee injury leaves some doubt surrounding his early-season availability.

Even if the Cardinals get Nolen back fully healthy ahead of 2026, more talent needs to be added to a group that struggled to get after the passer (27th in pressure rate) and stop the run (ninth-most yards per carry allowed) last season.

Honorable Mention

Starting S Jalen Thompson is hitting free agency while Budda Baker is entering his age-30 season. …  James Conner missed all but three games due to a season-ending foot injury and will be 31 in May. … Wide receiver depth is needed with Greg Dortch and Zay Jones hitting free agency. Arizona boasts the league's seventh-cheapest wide receiver room ahead of 2026.

If I Were The GM …

I'd use the No. 3 overall pick on the best available defensive linemen. Ohio State monster Arvell Reese? Sure. Game-breaking Miami EDGE Rueben Bain? I love it. 2025 FBS sack leader, Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey? Sign me up. A “best available player” mindset at every turn sounds like a quality plan for a roster hardly one addition away from suddenly competing in the ever-loaded NFC West.

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