GLENDALE — Three cornerbacks, average age 23, will line up across from one of the greatest quarterbacks in modern NFL history on Saturday night. For the Arizona Cardinals’ rebuilt secondary, the preseason opener against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs is more than a tune-up. It’s an early glimpse into whether this defense can survive the 2025 season.
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Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
What Cardinals want to see from secondary:
Injuries have already gutted what was one of the team’s most reliable units last year. Sean Murphy-Bunting, the interception leader, and Starling Thomas V, second in pass deflections, are both lost for the season. The new starting trio though, Garrett Williams, Max Melton, and rookie Will Johnson has never played a full NFL season between them.
October 15, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The secondary didn’t create turnovers, but its bend don’t break style allowed Arizona to limit the team’s scoring in the redzone. All-Pro safety Budda Baker should take a bulk of the credit for the success, leading the team with 164 tackles. He’s the engine for the entire defense and has helped them play above its parts.
However, now with Murphy-Bunting and Thomas gone, other defensive backs will need to elevate their game with the increase reps. One of players to benefit from the increase role will be Garrett Williams, who was one of the best zone-coverage defensive backs in the NFL, according to PFF. He lead the team with nine pass deflections and second with two interceptions.
Dec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
At only 24 years old, Williams is ironically one of the most experienced cornerbacks in the secondary. As the other two listed starting cornerbacks on the unofficial cardinals depth chart is second-year Max Melton and rookie Will Johnson. Melton only started three games but still had five pass deflections and one force fumble in limited reps, while Johnson, who has impressed early in training camp, still hasn’t had a NFL snap.
Aug 2, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during the Red and White practice in training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The young secondary will make mistakes, but like head coach Jonathan Gannon has preached during his tenure, it’s about how a player responds.
General manager Monti Ossenfort poured resources into revamping the roster, but the secondary is where youth and inexperience now collide with the NFL’s highest-powered offense. Mahomes likely won’t play deep into the first quarter, yet even a few series against him and Andy Reid’s scheme will be a revealing test for a unit learning on the fly.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
