GLENDALE – When Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. responded to questions about Myles Garrett signing with the Los Angeles Rams by saying, “At the end of the day, they gotta deal with us,” he likely expected debate. What followed was something different, as NFL fans thought his statement was hilariously misguided.
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Mack Wilson Sr. speaks to the media after minicamp practice at the Arizona Cardinals training facility on June 9, 2026, in Tempe. © Megan Mendoza/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“They gotta deal with us. At the end of the day, they gotta deal with us.”
Mack Wilson’s reaction to the Rams trading for Myles Garrett
(@AZCardinals Press Pass) #RiseUpRedSea pic.twitter.com/MBxFIIZBSX
— SleeperCardinals (@SleeperAZCards) June 9, 2026
Across social media, many NFL fans treated the statement as comedy rather than confidence. Some mocked Arizona’s chances in the NFC West. Others predicted the Cardinals would finish near the bottom of the standings. The reaction wasn’t just disagreement; it was dismissal. Others did recognize the mindset that Wilson Sr. has and how it transitions into what it takes to be an NFL player.
Aug 2, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the Red and White practice in training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
NFL fans react to Mack Wilson Sr.’s comments:
The Cardinals! Bro do they even have a QB? 😂
— WRISTS⌚️UP (@TwitTatTwwat) June 12, 2026
Yeah, that’s about as intimidating as a box full of kittens.
— Spurrier Special (@SpurriersBurna) June 12, 2026
Y’know if he didn’t think like that, he probably wouldn’t be in the league. Kudos to him for standing on tens
— JHard (@TheJHardShow) June 12, 2026
Im sure all the Arizona OL share the same sentiment lol
— CraZcane (@CZcane) June 12, 2026
This is the right way to think. They will most likely take some whoopings this year but he has the right attitude.
— Vasco49 (@Vasco491) June 12, 2026
Whatever the spread, I got the Rams covering for sure.
— Just a guy (@TheNourseGod) June 12, 2026
Well, I’m sure the Rams are shaking in their little space boots over this one. Didn’t realize the Cardinals were the “other team to beat” in the Division.
— Tony Roberts (@TonyRoberts_16) June 12, 2026
That’s what makes Wilson’s quote interesting. The comment wasn’t a prediction or a guarantee; it was a competitor acknowledging a basic reality of professional football: no matter how talented a rival becomes, games are still decided on the field. Yet the response exposed one of the NFL’s most powerful forces, perception. The Rams have earned national respect through recent success, star power, and aggressive roster building. Arizona, meanwhile, remains trapped in a different category. The Cardinals are viewed as a team with some potential rather than any proof. Until that changes, every confident statement from a player will be met with skepticism.
Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) walks on the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Historically, this isn’t unusual. NFL fans often trust established contenders over developing teams. The league’s biggest surprises frequently come from organizations that enter a season with low expectations before outperforming public opinion. Confidence from inside the locker room often arrives months before outsiders believe it. For Cardinals fans, Wilson’s statement represents something important in belief. Players inside rebuilding organizations cannot operate with the same doubts that exist outside the building. They have to believe improvement is coming before the results appear.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
