The NFC enters training camp looking crowded, restless, and wide open. In a conference that could send as many as 15 teams into the playoff hunt, the race to unseat Seattle at the top starts now, and the early shape of the 2026 field already feels unusually deep. Breakout teams from 2025, more balanced quarterback play, and a wave of offseason movement have turned this into a conference that looks built for a long, messy fight.
At the bottom of the latest NFC rankings sits Arizona, and the gap between the Cardinals and everyone else is hard to ignore. They’re the one team in the conference that truly looks like it’s still in rebuilding mode.
The quarterback situation remains unresolved, though Carson Beck could get his chance at some point this season. Even so, the Cardinals do have some real offensive juice.
Trey McBride is an All-Pro tight end, and the 3rd overall pick spent on Jeremiyah Love brings both upside and pressure. There’s talent here, but the roster still looks like it’s at least another year away from any real playoff talk.
Just ahead of them are the Giants, a team that took a major step forward this offseason by hiring John Harbaugh after a rough 2025. New York had its moments last season, enough to hint that the vision is starting to take shape, but the biggest issue now is health.
Injuries have become the central concern, not only because of the strain on depth, but because some of the team’s top players are already dealing with significant absences or lingering problems before camp even begins. Jaxson Dart’s development will be a major storyline, and if the young core can stay on the field, the Giants could be a dangerous team in 2026.
In Other News...
Cardinals Front Office Scandal Puts Franchise Credibility Back In Question
The NFL has put another Cardinals front office matter under a harsh spotlight, indefinitely suspending director of college scouting Ryan Gold for violating the leagues gambling policy. The investigation found Gold shared confidential, non-public information about Arizonas 2026 NFL Draft selections before it became public, a breach that cuts straight to the trust a scouting department is supposed to protect.
The case also found Gold participated in parlay bets involving NFL and college games, deepening the concern around how closely the league is watching gambling conduct inside team buildings. For Arizona, the issue goes beyond one employees lapse. It feeds a broader question about credibility, compliance and whether the organization can keep its internal information where it belongs. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Camp Opens With Two Huge Jobs Still Up For Grabs
Training camp opens July 22 with the Cardinals already a step ahead of most of the league, thanks to their Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game date against the Panthers. That early start only adds to the urgency in Glendale, where 90 players are in the building and the roster math is straightforward: 53 spots, plenty of competition, and very little time to sort out what the depth chart really looks like.
The biggest questions sit right in the middle of the teams identity. Quarterback remains unsettled with Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck all in the mix, while the safety group is trying to replace Jalen Thompsons production and leadership after his departure. Andrew Wingard and Wydett Williams Jr. are among the names in that conversation, and camp should quickly show whether Arizona has a clear answer or a long summer ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Young Core Is Running Out Of Time To Prove It
Training camp is about to put Arizonas young developmental group under the microscope, and the Cardinals are reaching the point where potential has to start turning into something more tangible. This is the part of roster-building that can look promising in the spring and a lot less certain once pads come on, especially for a team still sorting out which rookies and second-year players can actually grow into larger roles.
A few of the names in that tier have already created more questions than answers, whether because of injuries, uneven play or simply not moving fast enough to match the hype. Arizona still needs real progress from that class, and the pressure is especially noticeable with players like Jordan Burch, whose next step at outside linebacker could matter a lot more than his early flashes, while the battle up front at guard should also help clarify how much of this young core is ready to matter right away. [Read more 🡒]