The Arizona Cardinals are 1-1 through two preseason games, but the record is only a footnote. This stretch is about evaluation and about getting Mike LaFleur’s first-year offense installed the right way.
On that front, there have been real signs of life.
All four quarterbacks have handled the offense at a high level, which says as much about the system as it does about the players running it. LaFleur came to Arizona with plenty of buzz after working under Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, and the early returns have matched the billing. Receivers are finding space, the run game has a foundation, and the play-action element is tying the whole thing together.
It’s not perfect, and LaFleur has been clear about how much work still sits ahead. But this version of the Cardinals’ offense looks noticeably more dynamic than what fans have seen in recent seasons, and the ceiling is obvious.
The biggest issue on that side of the ball has been self-inflicted: pre-snap penalties. That has shown up in training camp and carried over into both preseason games, and it’s the kind of problem that can quietly wreck drives once the games count.
LaFleur didn’t sugarcoat it when asked about the offense’s rhythm:
"No, it felt like we had two false starts in the first drive, and kind of got bailed out a little bit on a third down with a PI. Again, we're always going to be process driven over results, and I know we got the results, but there's a lot to clean up,"
False starts are the sort of mistakes that stand out because they aren’t about being outplayed. They’re mental errors, and they’re the kind LaFleur won’t want lingering into the regular season, where a third-and-one can suddenly become a third-and-six.
Defensively, the preseason picture has been rougher to sort through, but there’s enough there to raise questions about Nick Rallis’ unit. The Cardinals’ story in 2026 is starting to look pretty clear: an offense that can be fun, provided the defense holds up its end.
So far, that part hasn’t happened.
Missed tackles and blown assignments have been the theme, both for the backups in Canton and the starters in Las Vegas. Whether that comes down to depth, coaching, rust, or some combination of all three, the Cardinals’ defense has plenty to fix before anyone can feel good about where it stands.
In Other News...
Cardinals Preseason Win Came With One Costly Concern Fans Will Notice
The Cardinals preseason win over the Raiders offered plenty to like on the scoreboard and even more to study for the roster race. Arizona got encouraging work from its quarterbacks, with Sam Ehlinger, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Drew Slovis all turning in solid outings, while the receivers also made their presence felt. Special teams had a mixed night, though Chad Ryland and Blake Gillikin stood out enough to give the staff something positive to build on.
Still, the most noticeable concern came up front, where rookie offensive guard Chase Bisontis went down and the injury now leaves Arizona waiting on a more serious answer. The defensive line also had trouble producing a steady pass rush, which keeps the attention on areas that could matter far more once the games start counting. For a team trying to sort out depth and durability in August, the performance brought as much reminder as relief. [Read more 🡒]
James Conners Cardinals Status Carries One Big Question Into September
James Conners offseason with the Cardinals has been defined less by what he has done on the field than by the steady uncertainty around when hell finally get there. He reworked his contract to stay in Arizona, and the expectation remains that he will be back in time for the regular season, but his recovery from last years season-ending foot and ankle injury has kept him out of team drills during the 2026 preseason.
Mike LaFleur has made it clear the staff is not rushing the process, saying there is no set timeline for Conners return. For Arizona, the bigger issue is not simply getting Conner back on the field, but getting him back to the level that made him such an important part of the offense in the first place, and that leaves one significant question hanging as September approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Lose Another Rookie As O-Line Battle Takes A Tough Turn
The Cardinals rookie offensive line race took another hit this week when Chase Bisontis was placed on injured reserve, a move that ends his first season before it ever really got going. Bisontis had been part of the competition up front, with a chance to carve out a role after being in the mix for the starting right guard spot during camp.
His injury leaves another hole in a class the Cardinals had hoped would help deepen the roster right away, and the timing makes it sting even more. Bisontis is now the second 2026 draft pick Arizona has lost for the season, following defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor, leaving the team to keep sorting through an O-line battle that has already taken a tough turn. [Read more 🡒]