With Week 1 creeping up, the Arizona Cardinals are already staring at a wall of doubt.
During their YouTube preview, every NFL insider picked the Cardinals to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers, a unanimous call that lands hard for a team trying to turn the page with new pieces and a new scheme. Arizona has added weapons and changed plenty around the roster, but none of that has translated into much confidence from the national voices weighing in before the opener.
The skepticism starts with the matchup itself. Los Angeles has Ladd McConkey, a dangerous target Arizona may struggle to handle if the defense can’t win enough one-on-one battles. On the other side, there’s also uncertainty around Jeremiyah Love, who may not even be available, and if he does suit up, his ankle injury raises questions about how effective he can be.
That’s why the opener carries so much weight for Arizona. The Cardinals need to show they can be taken seriously as a competitive team, and they’ve made clear they’re betting on that outcome. Michael Wilson and Hjalte Froholdt have both received contract extensions, and Jacoby Brissett is now being counted on to bring stability at quarterback.
The outside belief may be low, but the people around the Cardinals aren’t treating this like a lost cause. Fans are not buying the idea that Arizona has no shot. A win in Week 1 wouldn’t just open the season at 1-0 - it would also force the doubters to take another look.
In Other News...
Michael Wilson Deal Came Down To The Wire For Cardinals
Michael Wilsons future in Arizona went right down to the wire, with the Cardinals and the receiver ultimately striking a three-year, $75 million contract extension after a period of negotiations. For a team that has spent plenty of time trying to stabilize its passing game, keeping a young receiver in place matters beyond the headline number. It also gives the Cardinals some clarity as they keep building around their offense, even as the wider NFC West keeps handing out major deals of its own.
The market around the division only adds to the significance. Seattle just locked up defensive tackle Leonard Williams on a three-year extension with significant guaranteed money and bonuses, while San Francisco got Nick Bosa back on the practice field as he continues his recovery from the knee injury that wiped out much of last season. In that kind of environment, Arizonas decision to push through and retain Wilson until the last possible moment says plenty about how important he is to their plans. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Week 1 O-Line Question They Cant Ignore
The Cardinals head into the final stretch of preseason with a real question at right guard, as Isaiah Adams remains uncertain for Week 1 against the Chargers after suffering a knee injury before a preseason game. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Adams is progressing and doing well, but the next checkpoint is practice next week, when the team will learn whether he can get back on the field in time to protect a spot on the line.
For now, Jon Gaines is handling the snaps at right guard, and Arizonas margin for error is thin with limited depth behind him because of other injuries. It leaves the Cardinals in a familiar late-August spot: trying to keep the offensive line stable while waiting on an important starter, and hoping the answer comes before the opener rather than after it. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Fans Will Love The Hype Around This Rookie Back But Theres A Catch
The Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation already has a familiar shape heading into the 2026 NFL season, with Jeremiyah Love sitting near the top of the board and drawing plenty of attention from bettors and fans alike. He looks the part of a breakout rookie back, but the usual caution applies in this race: team performance and offensive line play can make as much difference as talent when the league starts handing out hardware.
Jadarian Price is another name getting a lot of traction because of the situation around him, and that is exactly why Cardinals fans are paying attention. Arizona is always looking for the kind of young runner who can change the tone of an offense, and the hype around a rookie back is easy to understand when the setup looks favorable. The catch is that award buzz can vanish fast if the offense around him does not give him the runway to cash it in. [Read more 🡒]