The Arizona Cardinals are making all the preparations they need as they are getting ready for the 2026 NFL season. Right out of the gate, they are set to open their Week 1 contest on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. Last year, the Chargers proved they were a very good team with a playoff berth.
A lot of time and effort have been deposited into this Cardinals’ roster ever since Mike LaFleur was hired as the new head coach. There are many exciting aspects from last year, and as with every
team, there remain some concerns. Mostly with this year’s version, Arizona will start off their first game with three new starting offensive linemen. The offensive line must be a cohesive unit of five men instead of five individuals.
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And right out of the gate, the Cardinals must face the Chargers. Last year, they finished 11-6-0 since Jim Harbaugh took the reins. This year, Arizona’s coaching staff wants to run the ball effectively. Last year, LA was ranked #5 in overall defense and averaged just 285.2 combined yards per game on average. That breakdown is #5 against the pass and #8 against the run.
Let’s look at three things the Cardinals must accomplish to defeat the Chargers.
Establish a balanced rushing attack
This new offense has several aspects that LaFleur wants to maintain. A short passing game is one. Usage of multiple tight ends is another. And a consistent rushing attack is paramount. That is why Arizona used the third overall draft pick on a stud running back instead of one of the elite pass rushers that were available.
LaFleur wants to run the ball. Last year the Cardinals were #31 in rushing, averaging just 93.1 yards a game. They were #22 in red-zone scoring at 54.1%. All of that needs to change.
How were the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, the team LaFleur left as their OC? #1 in total offense, #1 in passing, #7 in rushing, #1 in scoring offense, and #7 in Red Zone efficiency.
This will not happen overnight, but LaFleur has multiple years of running this offense, and it will get there eventually. For now, the Cardinals need to have their running game produce and become a game manager against the Chargers.
Arizona’s offense needs a balanced rushing game. The bulk of carries will most likely come from Tyler Allgeier. If rookie Jeremiyah Love is 100% with his ankle issue, he will get his fair share of carries, but don’t expect a full load. A balanced attack will ease the need to pass the ball often and also help control the clock.
Now, how will the offensive line react? Already, RG Isaish Adams is ruled out, and rookie RG Chase Bisontis is on IR. This is already a problem. Jon Gaines will take the reins and had a great camp and preseason. LG Isaac Seumalo is also a question mark. So, we’ll see.
Keep out the Chargers’ pass rush
The Chargers have a very good pass rush, and it comes from various spots and players. They generate a great pass rush with LB Tuli Tuipulotu, who actually lines up as an EDGE rusher, and Khalil Mack, who has returned to California.
To counteract these fine athletes, the Cardinals depend greatly on the skills of RT Elijah Wilkinson and LT Paris Johnson on the corners. The Wilkinson vs. Tuipulotu will become a battle and just might determine quite a few things in this ballgame. What is that called? Baptism by fire?
Mack is a beast and has been for years. He was the “NFL Defensive Player of the Year” back in 2016 but dislocated an elbow last year, which landed him on IR. Mack finished the 2025 season with 11 starts, 32 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, 11 hurries, and 23 pressures.
Tuipulotu has a leaner build and was a second-round draft pick. He was exceptional in college at USC and totaled 21 sacks in a tough conference. He led the conference in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (13.5) in his final year. He was a unanimous All-American, a two-time All-Pac-12 recipient, and was named the “Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.”
In the 2025 NFL season, Tuipulotu racked up 13.0 sacks and has 26 for his three-year career. His quickness off the edge and a fast first step are his calling cards. 39 tackles for loss, 52 QB hits, and 73 pressures are why he is such a menace.
Tuipulotu was limited in practice on Thursday, but is expected to play. Can Johnson contain him? Stay tuned.
Attack the Chargers’ receivers
Arizona’s defense has to have constant pressure on Chargers QB Justin Herbert every time he drops back to pass. But he will have time to throw. And when he does, the back end of the Cardinals defense has to be ready. Herbert has a good arm and can’t be allowed to set up and go through his progressions and set up the short passing game.
If Herbert is able to set his feet at will, it will become a very long day. He can throw into tight windows when he has time to survey the field, and can throw long.
Whether the defensive line can rattle Herbert is one issue, but when he does throw, the Cardinals’ defensive backfield has to come through. It is not clear if Garrett Williams will play, or at the very least become limited in his snaps. A guy like Williams is as real as they come and is a critical piece to the pass defense.
This would mean that Max Melton will become the default starter on the outside with Will Johnson. Denzel Burke will then be moved to the slot corner position. The coaching staff has complete trust in all four players.
Keeping Herbert out of his comfort zone will be a huge plus to this game with containment. The Chargers have a very good receiver corps headed by Ladd McConkey. Also in this group are Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris. Rookie WR Brenan Thompson was drafted in Round 4 and is expected to have a decent number of offensive snaps.
