The Arizona Cardinals are full-bore into training camp. This new offense is getting all the press, and most players are getting it, yet there is still a ton of work left to do. Did someone say “hope the offensive line improves?”
Last month, ESPN published its Top-10 NFL players at every position, and few Cardinals made the lists.
RELATED: ESPN RANKS CARDINALS OFFENSIVE WEAPONS #6
As the preseason games are on the horizon, The Athletic has come out with its 2026 NFL rankings compiled by Josh Kendall.
Where do the Cardinals rank? What about the remainder of the NFC West Division?
Kendall states:
“Training camps are open across the NFL, and the Hall of Fame Game kicks off next week, so we’re checking in on what’s new for all 32 teams and looking at how they stack up heading into the 2026 season.”
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#1 Los Angeles Rams
A pretty much “well duh” observation before the season begins. The Rams were already a really good football team and was a single game away from getting back to the Super Bowl. When they traded for EDGE rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, that sealed their standing. It is still wide open if DT Aaron Donald will un-retire.
Kendall’s assessment:
“And maybe Aaron Donald? The Rams traded for the best defensive end in the league, and there has been summer scuttlebutt that they could coax one of the best defensive tackles of the last 20 years out of retirement. They also added two new — and pricey — cornerbacks. Unless this wide receiver corps collapses under the weight of age and extracurricular activities, Los Angeles has everything it needs for another Super Bowl run.”
#5 Seattle Seahawks
The Hawks have a great defense, and one of the league’s best receivers. They are a really good team. The Cardinals were losing to them by two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter last year, then tied the game up only to have Seattle walk down the field in just 28 seconds. What a heartbreaker. No telling what would have happened in overtime. The Seahawks ownership group mic dropped by selling the team.
Kendall’s said this about the current league champion:
“A group led by the family of Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla just bought the reigning Super Bowl champions. All the other offseason news is about losses as running back Kenneth Walker, outside linebacker Boye Mafe and defensive backs Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen are all gone via free agency. A repeat is not going to be easy.”
#7 San Francisco 49ers
Well, we knew the Niners would be right in the mix somewhere. That ranking is actually in the Top-10. Impressive for the division.
Kendall’s said this:
“Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are gone, and Brandon Aiyuk is in (maybe permanent?) limbo. But Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and surprise second-round draft pick De’Zhaun Stribling are Niners now. As long as star running back Christian McCaffrey stays healthy, the receivers won’t be the focal point of the offense anyway. But it’s worth noting McCaffrey tallied a career-high 413 regular-season touches last year, along with 37 more in the playoffs.”
#30 Arizona Cardinals
When the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Football Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans outrank your team, you know things just ain’t right. Kendall is not giving this new Cardinals offense a single looksy. Part of the reason is that the QB position remains in flux, and the defense still needs a pass rusher.
Kendall gave this reason for shoving the Cardinals to the basement without any supper:
“Arizona and Murray tried to make it work. The No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft spent seven years wandering the desert, while the Cardinals managed to put together one winning season and no playoff wins. Now it’s Jacoby Brissett and what should be a full commitment to a rebuild under new head coach Mike LaFleur.”
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That’s it? Three sentences? And two were about a player that is no longer on the roster?
Nothing about the selection of the best running back in the draft. No verbiage regarding three of five offensive linemen have been replaced. Where is the part about Trey McBride’s most likely status as the best tight end in the league? What about the coming-out party for receiver Michael Wilson, and if Marv Harrison can have a great season, will provide this offense with fireworks?
Everyone gets that Arizona has a new head coach. It is understood that a new offense is being installed and may take a while to get. We understand that the most likely candidate for the starting quarterback is either a career backup, a journeyman, or a rookie third-rounder. And yes, the Cardinals’ best pass rusher either is or is not happy where he is.
With these rankings, which are one person’s professional opinion, the low point on the totem pole means there is just one direction this team can go this season.
