The Arizona Cardinals are in a transformative phase, with recent off-season decisions setting the stage for a new era. The team is redefining its leadership and on-field strategy by bringing in Jonathan Gannon as head coach and moving on from Kyler Murray, leaving the quarterback position open for a new franchise leader.
As we look ahead to the conclusion of the 2026 season, the Cardinals face critical decisions regarding key players whose futures with the team are uncertain. Let's delve into the situations of three players who might be in their final year with Arizona, plus a trade scenario that could unfold next off-season.
First up is Collins, a player whose journey has mirrored that of previous Cardinals first-round picks like Haason Reddick and Isaiah Simmons. Despite his versatility, Collins has struggled to carve out a niche in the NFL.
Initially an inside linebacker, Collins transitioned to an edge rusher, yet his best sack performance was a modest five in 2024. While his run defense is commendable, it hasn't translated into significant pass-rushing success.
With his fifth-year option declined, Collins was given a two-year extension to prove himself, but only managed 1.5 sacks in 2025. Unless Collins delivers a standout season, his time in Arizona might be nearing its end.
Then there's Conner, whose impact since joining the Cardinals in 2021 has been monumental. With a Pro Bowl appearance and consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons under his belt, Conner quickly became a fan favorite and a locker room leader.
Despite a season-ending foot injury, Conner restructured his contract to stay with the team through 2026. However, the Cardinals' recent acquisitions of Tyler Allgeier and rookie Jeremiyah Love suggest a shift towards younger talent.
Given his age and injury history, this season might be Conner's last with the team.
Brissett's tenure in Arizona has been a whirlwind since stepping in for the injured Kyler Murray. Despite achieving career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns, Brissett's 1-11 record as a starter has sparked debate about his role.
Contract negotiations turned contentious, leading to a hold-in during mandatory minicamp. With the drafting of Carson Beck, Brissett's future is uncertain, and unless he leads the Cardinals to an unexpected playoff berth, his time might be limited.
Finally, there's the intriguing trade scenario involving Sweat. Rumors have swirled about his potential departure, fueled by his non-participation in minicamp and the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon, with whom he shared a strong bond.
Sweat requested a trade post-2025, but talks cooled until recently. While a trade before the deadline is conceivable, the Cardinals might prefer to retain his pass-rushing prowess for another year, especially if they aim to stockpile draft picks for 2027-a pivotal year for their quarterback search.
Should Arizona miss the playoffs again, moving Sweat could align with their long-term strategy.
In this period of transition, the Cardinals are poised to make strategic decisions that will shape their future. The upcoming season will be pivotal in determining the path forward for these players and the franchise as a whole.
In Other News...
Cardinals Face A Risky Decision On Two Young Cornerstones
The Cardinals are already staring at a familiar front-office crossroads, this time with two players from Monti Ossenforts first draft class. Paris Johnson Jr. and Michael Wilson both matter to the long-term picture, but the timing of their next contracts makes the decision feel more complicated than routine roster maintenance. Johnson has become the more expensive of the two to project, while Wilsons case is tied to whether Arizona wants to reward him now or let the market do more of the work later.
Wilson, in particular, has a path that could be shaped by patience if he goes through another season and boosts his standing. Johnsons situation is trickier because the Cardinals have to weigh a major investment against the fact that he has not played a full season since his rookie year. With Arizona still trying to sort out its broader direction after a rough run, these are the kinds of calls that can say as much about a teams confidence in its own evaluation as they do about the players themselves. [Read more 🡒]
One Rams Offseason Question Suddenly Matters More Than Ever
Puka Nacua has already reminded everyone why Matthew Stafford leans on him so heavily, and the Rams still look like one of the leagues deepest and most respected rosters heading into the season. USA TODAY has them sitting at the top of its power rankings, and CBS Sports Pete Prisco put five Rams on his NFL Top 100, including three in the top 10, which says plenty about how much talent this group has assembled around Stafford.
The bigger issue for Los Angeles may be how much it has to protect that window if the roster keeps getting more expensive in the wrong places. The backup quarterback battle has not produced an obvious winner yet, but there is no immediate alarm there. The more delicate question is on the defensive front, where Kobie Turner has become the kind of player teams hate to lose track of because a contract extension could change the way the Rams have to budget for everything else around him. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Fans Just Got The Offseason Reset They Dreaded
Arizonas offseason reset has been less of a splash than a scramble, with the Cardinals coming off a 3-14 finish and trying to rebuild around a new coach after firing Jonathan Gannon. Mike LaFleur now inherits the job, and the early moves have been cautious: the team kept veteran Jacoby Brissett in place under center and used the draft to add rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, giving the roster at least one fresh piece to build around.
LaFleurs arrival comes with real questions attached, since this is his first shot at running a team and his reputation is still being shaped after time working under Sean McVay in Los Angeles. Arizona also brought in Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, a hire that adds another layer of intrigue to a staff that will be judged quickly in a division where patience is rarely part of the equation. For Cardinals fans, the bigger issue is whether this reset actually points to a cleaner future, or just another transition year with more uncertainty than answers. [Read more 🡒]