Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cardinals fans and fans across the country.
We are back and we are… well mostly confident. That is what the results of the first confidence poll of the 2026 season tell us at least. Which says something since our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook have no confidence in the Arizona Cardinals. Their win total sits at 4.5 heading into today, and they have the longest odds of any team to make
the playoffs (+1600) in the NFL.
They can change some of that today.
The Cardinals open the season with a trip to Hollywood (Inglewood technically) to take on the Los Angeles Chargers and 67% of fans are confident the Cardinals are heading in the right direction.
For me, I live in the world of cautious optimism. The Cardinals as an organization are more worrisome to me than who is the head coach, but there are things that both excite and worry heading into the season. The biggest excitement, the growth of LaFleur as a play caller, the biggest worry… Nick Rallis (really Michael Bidwill but that is out of my control).
The more interesting take was how fans voted for the “X-Factor” for the season, and the majority think it is Walter Nolen.
The breakdown is reverse how I would rank them for the top three. I think Brissett has to be the X-Factor and find a way to win close games. 0-6 and made no plays when he had the ball in his hands last year.
Marv has to help that, he needs to be a threat at any point on the field.
For Nolen, for me it is simply the fact that I don’t see enough talent around him for him to make a big enough impact. If the Cardinals defense had shown anything the last several seasons, then he would be the X-Factor because I think he could be a top 7 defensive tackle in the NFL if he can stay on the field this year. I just don’t know if he has the help necessary.
