GLENDALE – Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort made it a considerable effort to improve upon last year’s defense this offseason. Ossenfort spent over $100 million this offseason to bring in Pro Bowlers to the Valley. Edge Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Calais Campbell join a roster that is hungry to bring the organization to its first playoffs since 2021. To achieve that, Arizona needs to be something it hasn’t been in years: “A defensive-lead team,” according to safety Jalen Thompson.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Thompson appeared on Arizona Sports’ “Luke & Wolf” show on Thursday, where he discussed the additions to the defense and how he believes it’ll transfer next season.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Thompson on Cardinals next season:
“This is going to be a defensive-lead team. We were in a lot of games last year with the defense, and we could have won more games if we had a little more. This year should be a little different.
“We have some new guys on the defensive line, and in the DBs room that are all ready to go. They’re intentional, they come to practice, they’re consistent. I think that should be really good for us.”
Josh Sweat speaks to members of the media at the Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe on March 13, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The 26-year-old continue his praise with defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, who he believes has evolved in his play calling and being a leader. Arizona doubled its win total from the past two years in 2024, but still had some growing pains on the defensive side of the ball. However, Thompson saw those as him and his teammates “growing together,” and will see the growth from those moments next year.
Ossenfort went defense-heavy in the 2025 draft, and Thompson believes that the addition of Michigan Wolverine cornerback Will Johnson makes the secondary the best position group in the building. Thompson and the rest of the secondary is ready to put the team on their back to go make plays.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) celebrates his interception as it plays on the big screen against the New York Giants in the first half at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 17, 2023.Syndication: Arizona Republic
It will be hard next year for the Cardinals defense to be anything but elite in 2025, just off the sheer talent in the personnel group. Thompson exuberated confidence when discussing the defense and what next season will look like for the team, giving fans something to be excited about when the regular season starts in few months.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
