GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals are becoming the last hope for Arizona sports fans to see their favorite team compete for a championship in the foreseeable future. After the Phoenix Suns traded 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant on Sunday, the franchise in a purgatory of mediocrity with no way to escape with no cap space and the current roster constructed. The Arizona Diamondbacks entered the year with World Series aspirations but are slightly floating above .500, which is impressive considered all the injuries the pitching staff has endure early in the year.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Suns and Diamondbacks are filled with uncertainty, and for the first time since 2015, the Cardinals are fans best shot at watching a winning team in the Valley.
The Arizona Cardinals huddle during minicamp at the Cardinals training center in Tempe on June 11, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Can Cardinals save Arizona Sports?
Much of the Cardinals success will be on the shoulder of seven-year quarterback Kyler Murray. General manager Monti Ossenfort spent over $100 million this offseason to improve the defense by signing Pro Bowlers like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell. Meanwhile, Ossenfort didn’t add a significant offensive weapon in free agency or draft, leaving Murray to carry the offensive load.
Since head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has taken over, Arizona has had an elite run game, being top-5 in their first two seasons. Murray’s ability to escape the pocket is one of the best in the league and leads to chunk plays that builds momentum in the offense, while running back James Conner at 30 years old has proven to be a solid power back in today’s NFL.
Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) leaves the field after the game against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The emergence of young receiving threats like tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has the offense set to be a stellar unit in 2025. Murray has failed to win a playoff game with Arizona and could achieve that and more next season with the roster constructed.
A reason for the hype is for the big names signed in free agency, but also the prospects taken in the 2025 NFL draft. Ossenfort spent six of the team’s seven draft picks on the defense and took a swing with promising prospects like cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
Jun 10, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) during minicamp at the teams Arizona Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nolen is one of the many young faces on the defense that will make fans excited once they see the power he possess. The 21-year-old led Ole Miss to the best running defense in the nation and will have the opportunity to grow under the learning tree of a 17-year vet in Campbell.
After the injury to starting cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, Johnson’s importance for next season has increased by tenfold. The national champion was arguably the best defensive back prospect in the draft and only slipped because of injury concerns. Johnson disregarded those concerns and lasered in on leading the Cardinals defense to elite status.
Cornerback Will Johnson during the Cardinals rookie minicamp at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe on May 9, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Fans around the valley haven’t witness a defense this formidable in over a decade, and it could lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2021. The Cardinals have the most expectations around them in years, and while history has shown in Arizona sports that typically leads to disappointment, this has the players to break that mold and give fans something to believe in again.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
