The Arizona Cardinals demonstrated significant progress during their 2024 season. The team secured an 8-9 record, which led to a third-place finish in the competitive NFC West division, although they failed
to qualify for the playoffs. The team demonstrated two main characteristics through their explosive offense and their struggling defense.
The team scored 400 points throughout the season, an average of 23.5 points per game, and ranked 12th in the NFL while their defense surrendered 379 points at 22.3 points per game, which placed them 15th in the league. In EPA/play, the Cardinals offense ranked 10th overall (13th passing, 8th running). The defense, however, was the exact opposite. They ranked 24th in EPA/play overall on defense (24th against the pass, 25th against the run).
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Jonathan Gannon
- Offensive Coordinator: Drew Petzing
- Defensive Coordinator: Nick Rallis
- Special Teams Coordinator: Jeff Rodgers
Key Additions
- DT Calais Campbell
- DT Dalvin Tomlinson
- DT Walter Nolen (1st Rd, 16th Overall)
- EDGE Josh Sweat
- EDGE Jordan Burch (3rd Rd, 78th Overall)
- LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
- LB Cody Simon (4th Rd, 115th Overall)
- CB Will Johnson (2nd Rd, 47th Overall)
- CB Jaylon Jones
- CB Denzel Burke (5th Rd, 174th Overall)
Key Losses
- G Trystan Colon-Castillo
- DT Roy Lopez
- DT Khiris Tonga
- EDGE Julian Okwara
- LB Kyzir White
Under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing (Gary Kubiak/Kevin Stefanski tree), the team advanced from 21st in EPA/play in 2023 to 10th in 2024. The team achieved stability through quarterback Kyler Murray’s full health, which led him to become the 13th-best EPA passer in the league. The team employed a balanced attack system, which combined fast passing plays with powerful running plays through “2 RB / 1 TE” formations to generate positive outcomes consistently.
The defensive unit continued to develop throughout the season. The team demonstrated several positive aspects despite their poor overall defensive performance. The defense performed well in crucial situations by allowing only six plays beyond 40 yards and stopping opponents from scoring touchdowns inside the red zone at a 52.6% rate, which ranked seventh in the league. They also did not have a reliable pass rush and run defense, which prevented them from creating negative plays.
In 2024, the team reached their highest point when they defeated the New York Jets 31-6 through Murray’s perfect 22 of 24 passing performance with 17 consecutive completions and reaching 6-4 before their bye week. The defensive breakdowns and missed scoring chances during their 16-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks revealed the team’s inability to achieve a winning record, finishing 2-5 after the bye.
2025
The negative trend from 2024 continued into 2025. The Arizona Cardinals currently sit at 2-4 in their first six games, putting them in fourth place within the NFC West. The team experienced a decline in performance throughout both defensive and offensive units and now only scores an average of 21.7 points per game, which places them 20th in the NFL compared to their 2024 performance.
The offense faces two major challenges because of ongoing health problems and inconsistent performance. Through five games, quarterback Kyler Murray has thrown for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 68.3% of his passes. The current status of his foot injury makes it uncertain when Murray will return to the field.
Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr struggled early in the season with drops, but has since become the offense’s best player with his turnaround coming in week four versus Seattle, making several difficult catches to help his team score. After having faced Ja’Marr Chase, the Packers’ corners are in for another good test.
The running game suffered a severe blow when James Conner suffered an ankle injury that ended his season versus the 49ers in week three. Four days after the 49ers game in week three, the Cardinals lost Trey Benson to a knee injury and placed him on injured reserve.
The defense has so far improved to 15th overall in EPA/play but has not achieved the expected improvement through their main offseason signing of pass rusher Josh Sweat. The team’s defensive performance at 21.2 points per game falls between average and poor despite the significant investment, which failed to produce the expected improvement, thus reducing their chances of success.
The Cardinals’ contender window is just about closed on the Jonathan Gannon era. The 2025 season will likely not be what they expected, and it will be marred by the stain of controversy in week 5 when Gannon was caught on tape hitting a player, not once, but twice, in the wake of a fumble at the goal line that cost the team a touchdown.
Gannon was reprimanded by the team and fined $100,000 for his actions.
To make matters worse, in that game against Tennessee, his defense had a chance to put it away, but a defender, who caught a Cam Ward interception, subsequently fumbled on the return. The ball scooted into the end zone, where a Titans player jumped on it and ruled to have scored.
The team requires Murray to recover fully while fixing their broken running game and obtaining defensive plays that result in sacks and turnovers to save their season and build on their 2024 performance. The team needs to act quickly to transform its potential into a playoff spot.
