What Can Be Expected from the Arizona Cardinals in the 2025 Season?

Heading into the 2025 season, the Cardinals carry this dedication forward, aiming to make a strong statement in the highly competitive NFC West. The team has focused on building a balanced mix of veteran experience and youthful energy, with recent roster moves to bring in emerging talent to support a coaching staff determined to establish a winning culture and play style.

With exciting young players ready to step up and a coaching team refining their approach, Arizona’s roster has the potential to make some real noise this year. Cardinals fans, known for their unwavering enthusiasm, will be keeping a close watch on this pivotal season, eager to see how the team measures up against their fierce division rivals. Here’s what the Cardinals faithful can expect as they root for a team poised to compete with intensity and ambition.

1. Kyler Murray is back to form and leading

After all the ups and downs, Kyler Murray is still the key to the Cardinals in 2025. He’s a dual threat and playmaker in big situations. His performance will be the team’s success. Coming off an injury, fans will be watching to see if he can get back to Pro Bowl form and be the leader the team needs.

If he can get in a rhythm early and stay healthy, his mobility and vision will be too much for even the best defenses. His chemistry with the receivers will be a focus as will his comfort with the offensive adjustments the coaches have made to help him.

2. New Offense weapons

Marvin Harrison Jr. is back for another year with the Cardinals so he’ll have an even bigger role in the offense. His speed and ability to stretch the field will complement Murray’s arm and he’s a reliable target who can open up the field. Along with Harrison Jr., rookie-turned-starter Michael Wilson has shown flashes of what he can do and brings size and route running to the receiver corps.

And the development of younger players and new faces at tight end and running back will add more balance to the offense. The offense will benefit from establishing a run game, and versatile backs will be key for short yardage and keeping the offense balanced.

3. Defensive evolution under young talent

The defense has seen some veteran departures and new faces emerge. With linebacker Zaven Collins and safety Budda Baker leading the way, the Cardinals will be looking to disrupt opponents, especially in division games where strong defenses often make the difference. Collins has grown into his leadership role and will bring the intensity to the linebacker corps that fans will see in full force this year.

The secondary has been an area of emphasis too. Budda Baker’s all-in, physical play sets the tone for the pass coverage and the young guys around him. With the team investing in DBs for the last few years, there’s hope the secondary will come together and provide some coverage to go with the pass rush.

4. Focus on the OL for Consistency and Protection

For years, the Cardinals OL has struggled with consistency, health and depth. A healthy, improved OL is key to protecting Murray and establishing a running game. In 2025, several young and veteran players should form a stronger, more cohesive line that reduces the pressure on Murray so he can make plays downfield. The OL’s ability to come together and communicate will be huge not just for Murray’s protection but for sustaining longer drives. Fans can expect improvement here to have a positive effect on the whole offense.

5. Coaching Cohesion and Strategy

Arizona’s current head coach, Jonathan Gannon, brought defensive expertise and enthusiasm to the job, and as he enters his second year, the team’s coaching philosophy should be more cohesive. Gannon’s influence has already been seen in a more disciplined defense, and this year we should see even more targeted defensive schemes that are aggressive without sacrificing coverage.

The offense has leaned into a fast-paced style that suits Murray’s skill set. Gannon and his staff have likely refined this in the offseason and added depth to the playbook to support a quick pass game and plays that allow Murray to use his legs when needed.

6. NFC West: Competing with Strong Division Rivals

The NFC West is one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, with the 49ers and Seahawks having strong rosters. For Arizona to win, they’ll need to win some of these division games. They’ll need to come out of the gate strong against their NFC West foes, especially since the 49ers have a physical defense and the Seahawks have a dangerous passing game.

Historically, the Cardinals have struggled to beat these teams but with some strategic improvement, they can close the gap. Early division wins can boost their playoff chances and set a positive tone for the season.

7. Special Teams: The Under-the-Radar Factor

Arizona’s special team has become one of the team’s most underrated units with a good kicker and promising returners. In 2025, special teams will be huge in close games, especially division games. Punt coverage and returns can flip field position and momentum in tight games.

A good kicker and confident return unit can be difference-makers in big moments, especially if the Cardinals are in a playoff race as the season goes on.

8. Rookies and New Talent: Developmental Players

The Cardinals have invested in young talent, and some of those players are showing up on both sides of the ball. In 2025, these rookies and newer players will start to make some real noise. Keep an eye out for players who can add depth to the lineup and flexibility whether it’s on the OL, in the defensive rotation or as specialists on special teams.

These younger players maturing will add depth to the roster and juice to the team.

Season Outlook

As the season kicks off, fans looking to get in on the action and support the team’s journey can use the Bet365 bonus code available here to enhance their game-day experience. While the Cardinals are still in development mode, 2025 is a chance to grow and maybe contend, if everything goes right. If Kyler Murray and the offense can stay consistent and the defense can continue to be aggressive under Gannon’s direction, Arizona can compete for a playoff spot. It will all come down to health, consistency and execution in big games, especially within the division.