After a 3-14 season a year ago, the Arizona Cardinals moved on from Jonathan Gannon and hired Mike LaFleur as head coach. Nathaniel Hackett is the new offensive coordinator, and Jacoby Brissett is back at quarterback. Brissett went 1-11 as a starter in relief last season, so the “no one expects a leap right away” sentiment is understandable. Arizona was hit hard by the injury bug last year, mainly at running back. The Cardinals drafted Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame and brought in Tyler Allgeier from the Falcons. James Conner remains on injured reserve after playing only three games last year, while Bam Knight provides additional depth. Trey Benson was waived with an injury designation in August after dealing with a knee issue and is on reserve/injured. The Cardinals return their top three receivers from 2025: Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, and Marvin Harrison, and added Kendrick Bourne from the 49ers. Arizona returns Paris Johnson, Hjalte Froholdt, and Isaiah Adams on the offensive line and added Isaac Seumalo from Pittsburgh and Elijah Wilkinson from Atlanta.

Nick Rallis stayed on as defensive coordinator despite the head coaching change. The Cardinals return eight of their top eleven tacklers from last season. Walter Nolen, Darius Robinson, Zaven Collins, Cody Simon, Mack Wilson, and Josh Sweat return to the front seven, while Roy Lopez returns to Arizona after spending last season with the Lions. Will Johnson, Denzel Burke, Budda Baker, and Garrett Williams return to the secondary, with Andrew Wingard joining the group after playing for Jacksonville last season.

Michael Ghobrial takes over as special teams coach. Chad Ryland returns as the field goal kicker, and Blake Gillikin returns as punter. Devin Duvernay comes from the Bears to handle kick returns. With a new staff and Kyler Murray moving on, nobody expected the Cardinals to shoot up the NFC West standings right away. Arizona has opened the Mike LaFleur era at 1-3, dropping three straight games after a Week 1 victory over the Chargers.