GLENDALE – Early 2026 NFL win totals have been released by DraftKings, and to no one’s surprise, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves at the bottom. The franchise isn’t alone at the bottom, as the Miami Dolphins are tied with Arizona at a 4.5 over/under line set for the 2026 season. General manager Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael Bidwill stated multiple times this offseason that the team is trying to win next year, but it looks like the Sportsbooks didn’t get the memo.
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Feb 3, 2026; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur speaks to the media at the introductory press conference at the Cardinals training facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Is 4.5 wins a fair number?
The Cardinals hired their new offensive-minded head coach in Mike LaFleur, who’ll extend Sean McVay’s successful coaching tree even more. LaFleur is looking to turn the 23rd offseason last season into a powerhouse, despite not knowing who’ll be under center.
Early offseason win totals are hard to judge, being so close to last year’s disaster and not including any potential draft or free agency improvements. With two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray expected to be traded, Arizona is expected to have interest in a few quarterbacks in free agency, one being former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis.
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Willis has started six games in his first four years, but has shined in the few starts in the past two seasons. Ossenfort has connections to Willis from the Tennessee Titans and could believe that putting the 26-year-old in a LaFleur system with weapons like Trey McBride and Michael Wilson could make a real difference.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) celebrates with wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Regardless of the moves, the Cardinals are still in the NFC West, and if 2025 was any indication, those six division games could be marked as losses now. In the last four seasons, Arizona is 4-20 in games vs. NFC West opponents, making any push towards the postseason impossible.
Outside of its division opponents, the franchise will play three teams that made the playoffs last years in the remaining 11 games. Teams like the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs don’t fit in that category, but have recent success that’ll make winning a tough one for the Cardinals.
Four teams fell under 4.5 wins last season, including Arizona. Adding in a tough division and uncertainty at some position groups, the franchise could still find a way to fall under its low win total in 2026.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
