GLENDALE – The 2026 offseason is a massive one for Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort, who’s on the hot seat next year. Many were surprised that only head coach Jonathan Gannon was fired following a 3-14 season, while Ossenfort was trusted to find the franchise’s 44th head coach. The 48-year-old had as much success as Gannon, which was none, but he was entrusted by owner Michael Bidwill to get another opportunity, which starts the 2026 NFL draft.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arizona will have the third pick in this year’s draft, and Ossenfort has kept it close to the chest on what the team will do. At the NFL Draft Combine, Ossenfort made it clear that the organization is willing to move from three if need be.
Feb 3, 2026; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort at a press conference at the Cardinals training facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Ossenfort uncertain on 3rd pick:
If that sounds familiar it’s because the third-year Cardinals GM did exactly that in the 2023 NFL draft. Ossenfort had the third overall pick but traded it to the Houston Texans for the 12th and 33rd pick, and a 2024 first and third-round pick. The trade at the time was a no-brainer. Houston just went 3-13-1 and getting its first-round pick the following year was the crown jewel.
However, the trade panned out the worst it could’ve for the Cardinals, as the Texans selected All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler edge Will Anderson Jr. to help the team go 10-7 in 2024. The coveted Houston first-round pick turned out to be the 27th pick and Darius Robinson, who has been disappointing for the franchise.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) is introduced before their game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 21, 2024. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Texans deal led to a few more trades for Ossenfort that eventually landed him Paris Johnson Jr., Darius Robinson, BJ Ojulari, Isaiah Adams and Garrett Williams. None of those players panned out close to the career of Anderson, but Johnson and William have turned out to be solid players for the team.
To put more salt in the wound, to get Johnson, Ossenfort traded the 12th and 34th pick to the Detroit Lions. With those two picks, Detroit selected two Pro Bowlers in Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta. Obviously, hindsight is 20-20, but Ossenfort in his first year was involved in two trades that turned around two struggling franchises, neither of which was his own.
Ossenfort is in the same position three years later, and with a roster that just went 3-14, it would be a mistake to feel like the roster is good enough to trade down to take a prospect that fills a need over being one of the most skilled players in the draft.
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort speaks on QB controvesy at 2026 NFL Draft Combine
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
