The Challenge of Rebuilding the Arizona Cardinals

The NFL is a league defined by parity. Each year, teams rise from the bottom to contention, while strong teams often find themselves pulled back down to average. This cycle of competition creates an environment where even the most dominant franchises can struggle if they fail to adapt. For the Arizona Cardinals, 2026 and beyond may represent one of the most difficult climbs in recent history.

The team is currently at the base of a steep mountain—Mt. Everest, metaphorically speaking. Their internal challenges are as daunting as the external ones, and their path forward remains unclear. Kyler Murray, the quarterback who has been the face of the franchise, may not be returning in 2026. His relationship with head coach Jonathan Gannon has reached a breaking point, and it’s uncertain whether Gannon will remain in his role next season. The Cardinals must make critical decisions about their future identity, but for now, the direction is undefined.

Even if the team finds the right combination of a head coach and quarterback, they face a brutal reality: the NFC West is home to three teams that are expected to finish the 2025 season with over 11 wins each. The division includes the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, led by two of the most successful offensive coaches in the league—Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. The Seattle Seahawks, under Mike Macdonald, also present a formidable challenge. For the Cardinals to compete, they’ll need to overcome not only these teams but also the long-term success of their rivals.

Kyler Murray or Jonathan Gannon?

Gannon is expected to return as the head coach, but many believe the Cardinals may be making the wrong decision. There’s a narrative that supports keeping Murray over Gannon, but the numbers tell a different story. Under Gannon, the Cardinals have a 15-35 record. Of those 13 wins, 87% came with Murray as the starting quarterback. Murray’s record with Gannon is 13-17, while his record before Gannon was 30-35 (excluding his rookie season). These statistics suggest that the team performs better when Murray is on the field.

Murray may not yet be an elite quarterback, but he is arguably the best player the Cardinals have had in years. He outperforms Gannon as a head coach, and his presence has brought more stability to the franchise than any other factor in recent seasons.

The Cardinals’ Biggest Failure

One of the biggest missteps for the Cardinals last offseason was their focus on building a defense. They invested heavily in defensive talent, which was a sound strategy. However, the players did not stay healthy in 2025, and the results were disappointing. The team’s defensive performance fell short of expectations, despite the initial promise.

Another major failure was the decision to build around Kyler Murray without addressing his weaknesses. The Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison, Jr., over Malik Nabers, a choice that overlooked Murray’s strengths. Nabers would have complemented Murray’s ability to throw deep passes and extend plays, but Harrison, a possession receiver, does most of his damage in the middle of the field—something that has historically been a weakness for Murray.

Additionally, the team struggled with its run game after losing key assistant coach Klayton Adams to the Dallas Cowboys. While players like Trey McBride and Michael Wilson are talented, they don’t fully align with Murray’s playing style. The Cardinals failed to create a cohesive offense that maximizes his abilities.

The Road Ahead

Fixing the Cardinals is already a massive challenge. The team has struggled to build a supporting cast that complements Murray’s strengths, and retaining Gannon could complicate things further. If the Cardinals continue down this path, they risk falling even further behind their division rivals.

For the franchise to succeed, they need to take a step back and reassess their approach. That means making tough decisions about personnel, coaching, and strategy. The road ahead is long, but with the right changes, the Cardinals could still climb their way back to relevance.