GLENDALE – Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort spared no expenses to improve the team’s defense. Over $100 million in guaranteed money given to free agents, while using six of the seven 2025 draft picks on defensive players. Bringing in Pro Bowlers like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell set Arizona’s expectations for its defense to the moon, and it still surpass them.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Through the first four weeks, the Cardinals defense has unanimously been a top 10 unit in the league. Their pass rush went from weak to elite in one offseason. Despite some major injuries to the defense, it’s still putting up numbers.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) is introduced before their game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on Sept 14, 2025.
Cardinals defensive stats:
- 96.0 rushing yards allowed (9th)
- 18.5 points allowed (8th)
- 46.7% red zone TD rate (10th)
- 34.6% third down rate (8th)
- 9 QB Hurries (7th)
- 25 pass deflections (2nd)
- 64.8 tackles per game (4th)
Sep 14, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) tackles Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
The struggles from Arizona’s offense has amplified just how good the defense has been to start the season. The names that needed to step up has, with Campbell and Sweat combining for five of the team’s seven sacks. Through the first four weeks, the duo would make plays late in the game to secure their team the victory.
In Week 1, safety Budda Baker knocked a game-tying touchdown out of the hands of New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Jennings. Campell recorded two sacks in the final four minutes to win the game the following week. Despite losing in Week 3 and 4, the defensive unit has done their parts generating pressure, causing turnovers and making opposing offenses uncomfortable.
Ossenfort and fans couldn’t have hoped for a better debut for the defense, and the best part, the unit hasn’t been healthy all year. If players can return from injuries, Arizona can challenge to be one of the NFL’s best defenses.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
