GLENDALE – After playing limited starters in the preseason matchup against the Denver Broncos, many assume the Arizona Cardinals will do the same next week against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, head coach Jonathan Gannon is still undecided on how he wants to approach the final preseason game before the start of the regular season on Sept. 7th. While the offensive starters seem lock, the defense still has a lot of question marks, and Gannon wants answers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and head coach Jonathan Gannon share a laugh during training camp July 27, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Gannon on Cardinals starters situation against Raiders:
“With the starters playing and this and that, you think, ‘Oh, well, you would never play your starters pre season [week] three if you don’t play them in preseason [week] two. Not necessarily, guys do it different ways. It’s just kind of the setup of camp.
“I don’t think there’s one right or wrong way to do it, and there’s honestly pros and cons of however you do it. So the most important thing for us is maximizing today and this week as we move forward to get better as players and a football team and coaches and and be ready to play on Saturday.”
Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Nearly all the bottom 10 PFF grades for Arizona in Saturday’s lost to Denver were all defensive players. Most of them were starters who only appeared in one or two drives, but it still warrants some sort of concern into the team’s next matchup against the Raiders.
Rookies linebacker Cody Simon and Will Johnson were a part of the bottom 10 grades, which highlights the importance of next Saturday’s game as the rookies try to get accustomed to NFL-level play. The injuries to the secondary and other position defensively will open the door for the 2025 draft class to step up.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon watches center Sincere Haynesworth (61) perform a drill during training camp at State Farm Stadium on July 23, 2025.
Gann0on remains unsure on whether defensive starters or players battling injuries, like 1st-round pick Walter Nolen, will play against Las Vegas. Regardless, this final two weeks stretch before the start of the regular season will be crucial to how the Cardinals begin its 2025 campaign in hopes of making the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Cardinals 7th-round pick Kitan Crawford is dominating in preseason
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
