GLENDALE – Despite low expectations, the Arizona Cardinals won’t go quietly into the 2026 season. After one of the worst results of NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, another division rival makes headlines for massive move. The Los Angeles Rams acquiring edge Myles Garrett has every expert using permanent marker on putting the team into the Super Bowl.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, when Cardinals players and coaches were asked about the trade, many no sold the effect. Head coach Mike LaFleur seemed disinterest, while linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. had a short, but strong message towards the Rams.
Oct 12, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson (2) celebrates after a play against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Wilson’s message towards Rams:
Dating back to the 2017 season, Los Angeles has a record of 16-3 record over Arizona, including a playoff win in 2022. Last season was the ugliest the series has gone in a while, with Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay beating the franchise 45-17 and 37-20. The offense seemed unstoppable at times for the Cardinals, but those games in 2025 came after Wilson’s season-ending injury in Week 9.
After Wilson’s injury, the defense fell off a cliff and went from fringe top 10 to the worst in the league, allowing 37 points six times in the final nine weeks. As the green dot, his importance can’t be overstated and likely feels a certain type of way about his division rivals.
Mack Wilson Sr. speaks to the media after minicamp practice at the Arizona Cardinals training facility on June 9, 2026, in Tempe. Syndication: Arizona Republic
In 2024, fully healthy, the team captain helped his unit hold the Rams to 10 and 13 points. And with defensive coordinator Nick Rallis remaining in the role under the transition to LaFleur, the impact Wilson could bring towards Los Angeles is significant. Add in LaFleur knowing McVay’s system, and the Cardinals are an underrated threat to cause some trouble for Rams.
Pulling off the upset is an objective that remains unlikely for this squad. But, when one of the games in 2026 is a one-score game late in the 4th quarter, it won’t be surprising.
Cardinals’ 4th-round pick Kaleb Proctor tears meniscus, in jeopardy of missing 2026 season
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
