Cardinals Facing Harsh Reality as NFC West Rivals Surge Ahead
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals are staring down a tough truth: while the rest of the NFC West is thriving, they’re stuck spinning their wheels. With the franchise preparing to hire its 44th head coach in 106 years, the problems in Arizona go far deeper than a new face on the sideline.
The contrast within the division couldn’t be more stark. The Seahawks and Rams are battling it out in the NFC Championship, and even the 49ers, despite being derailed by injuries in the Divisional Round, showed why they’re perennial contenders.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals just wrapped up a season that saw them post the most losses in franchise history - 14 of them, to be exact. That’s not just a rough year; it’s a statement about where this organization currently stands.
Former NFL punter turned media personality Pat McAfee didn’t hold back on his show, calling out the Cardinals for being in what he described as a “terrible” position. And honestly, it’s hard to argue with him. Arizona’s current situation is a tough sell - both on the field and in the front office.
Yes, they hold the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which should be a building block. But the quarterback situation remains murky at best. They’re likely out of range to grab one of the top QB prospects, and with uncertainty under center, it’s not exactly an enticing destination for top-tier coaching candidates.
That lack of clarity is a big reason why the Cardinals are widely viewed as one of the least attractive head coaching vacancies in the league. With 10 openings now on the table following the firing of Buffalo’s Sean McDermott, Arizona is being ranked below teams like the Titans and Browns - not exactly the company you want to keep when trying to rebuild.
Even former Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer has weighed in, criticizing ownership for what he sees as a low-budget approach to the coaching search. That kind of public scrutiny from a former face of the franchise only adds to the perception that Arizona’s issues start at the top.
The Cardinals have a long offseason ahead - one that will require more than just a high draft pick and a new coach to fix. They need a clear vision, a long-term plan, and a commitment to building something sustainable. Because right now, as their division rivals chase Super Bowl dreams, Arizona is left trying to figure out how to stop being the NFC West’s perennial afterthought.