The Arizona Cardinals are 23 days from kicking off the regular season, with their opener set for Sept. 13 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
As the countdown rolls on, it’s worth pulling back and looking at what 2023 actually looked like for Arizona under new head coach Jonathan Gannon. It was a season that began with Kyler Murray sidelined after tearing his ACL in November 2022, which left Josh Dobbs to open the year at quarterback after the Cardinals acquired him via trade after the preseason.
The results were uneven, but the team rarely felt out of it. Arizona stumbled to a 1-8 start before Murray returned, and Dobbs was later dealt to the Minnesota Vikings.
From there, the Cardinals finished 3-5 down the stretch and closed the year at 4-13. Even with the record, they were in the fight most weeks - a competitive group that fit the label of a good bad team.
Budda Baker was the Cardinals’ only Pro Bowl selection in 2023, and the individual numbers tell the rest of the story. Murray played eight games after returning and threw for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also adding three rushing scores.
James Conner powered the ground game and posted a career-high 1,040 rushing yards in 13 games, finishing with seven touchdowns. In the passing game, tight end Trey McBride led the team with 81 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns. That total set the single-season franchise record for receptions by a tight end, a mark he would go on to break in 2024 and again in 2025.
On defense, Dennis Gardeck led Arizona with six sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Safety Jalen Thompson paced the team with four interceptions, and cornerback Antonio Hamilton finished first in pass breakups with 11.
In Other News...
Cardinals Roster Bubble Just Got Tougher After Ugly Cowboys Loss
With most of the starters resting, the Cardinals preseason loss to the Cowboys did not carry the usual weight on the scoreboard, but it still mattered for the players fighting to survive the final roster trim. Arizona fell 34-13 in a game that was more about evaluation than outcome, and there were a few encouraging signs mixed into an otherwise uneven night. Leota flashed enough to stand out, while a handful of others needed a cleaner showing to strengthen their cases.
Mike LaFleur said the staff is still sorting through player development and roster considerations as the cuts approach, which is where this kind of game can become unforgiving. Robinson and Ojulari were among the names that did not do much to separate themselves, and that leaves the bubble looking tighter than it did before kickoff. For players on the fringes, the next few days may matter even more than the final preseason score. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Tough Tip Reiman Decision Before Cutdown Day
The Cardinals got a useful roster update with cornerback Garrett Williams coming off the PUP list and back into practice, but the more complicated injury watch still centers on Tip Reiman. The second-year tight end remains on the PUP list after breaking his ankle, and with Week 1 looming, the team is still sorting through what his availability will really look like when the season opens.
Mike LaFleur said Reimans status is uncertain, which leaves Arizona with a decision to make as cutdown day approaches. For a team trying to finalize its roster, the question is not just whether Reiman can return soon, but whether the Cardinals can afford to carry him while waiting for that recovery to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Defense Just Made A Cowboys Quarterback Battle More Interesting
Joe Milton took a significant step in the Cowboys preseason quarterback competition against Arizona, making the most of his start with a sharp, efficient showing. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns and also added a rushing score as Dallas rolled to a 34-13 win, moving to 2-0 in exhibition play. For a team trying to sort out the depth chart behind Dak Prescott, it was the kind of outing that can force coaches to pay closer attention.
Brian Schottenheimer singled out Miltons control and decision-making after the game, and that matters because the backup job is still very much up for grabs. The Cardinals, meanwhile, became part of a performance that sharpened the conversation around Dallas quarterback room, with Milton giving himself a real case to keep building on when the preseason continues. [Read more 🡒]