What’s Ahead in 2025? Arizona Cardinals Season Outlook

At long last, the 2025 NFL season has finally arrived. Following what felt like an eternity waiting for NFL football to return, it is finally here to stay until next February, where we do the same song and dance again. However, let’s not focus on the negatives here; we’re here to talk about football. More specifically, the Arizona Cardinals, who aim to improve upon their 8-9 record from last season, where a four-game winning streak heading into the bye did not translate to much success afterwards, ultimately resulted in another missed postseason opportunity. Now, after adding pieces to the defense and having an offseason and preseason to improve, Arizona is primed to eclipse the .500 mark this upcoming season. However, the question remains: can they do it? Here are my predictions for the Cardinals’ 2025 season.

Ceiling: 12-5, first in the NFC West

Floor: 5-12, fourth in the NFC West

Record Prediction: 7-10, third in the NFC West

When first looking at Arizona’s schedule, there’s definitely an opportunity to start the season strong and use that momentum throughout the rest of the season. When the schedules were initially released for all 32 NFL teams, the league ranked the toughest and easiest opponents for every team based on opponent winning percentage from the 2024 season. The Cardinals were tied with the Carolina Panthers for the fifth-easiest schedule with a .457 opponent winning percentage. As previously mentioned, the start of the season provides a lot of opportunity for Arizona, as the Cardinals open up the season with matchups against New Orleans and Carolina, then eventually take on Tennessee and Indianapolis before heading into the bye week. The one main issue for me is later in the season, when Arizona has to take on playoff-contending teams on the road like Tampa Bay, Houston and Cincinnati, not even mentioning the division rival Los Angeles Rams, who the Cardinals have to play twice in the final five weeks of the season. While I do think that Arizona could surprise some people, I do have the Cardinals falling slightly under expectations and finishing a game worse than last year.

Team MVP: Tight end Trey McBride

The Cardinals’ leading receiver in 2024 looks to replicate his performance this upcoming season, but this time with some more touchdown receptions. In the 2024 season, Trey McBride had his breakout season by hauling in 1,146 yards on 111 receptions for two touchdowns. McBride’s season placed him second among tight ends last season, trailing only Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers despite playing one less game than the rookie tight end for the Raiders. If Arizona wants to have a breakout season, especially on the offensive end, it’ll look to McBride to help lead the way and that’s exactly what I see coming for the now-fourth-year tight end. My prediction for McBride is to replicate his 100+ catch, 1,000+ receiving yard mark, while bringing in at least five scores for the Cardinals this year.

Offensive Player of the Year: Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

While I expect McBride to once again carry the workload for the Arizona offense, I also expect big things from Marvin Harrison Jr.’s second season in the NFL following an underwhelming rookie year. The 2024 fourth overall pick was projected to become the next great receiver in the NFL, but had a rookie season that left more to be desired. Harrison Jr. finished his rookie year catching 62 passes on 116 targets for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. While the scoring numbers were impressive, the lack of receptions and yards was what caused Harrison Jr. to be looked at in a lower light. However, with a new season comes a new opportunity, as I expect Harrison Jr. to join the NFL’s elite class of receivers by having 80+ receptions for 1,000+ yards and at least six scores.

Defensive Player of the Year: Safety Budda Baker

The Cardinals' leader on defense returns for his ninth professional season, as he looks to continue his role of being the difference maker on a young Arizona defense. Budda Baker’s 2024 season was perhaps his best yet, as he led defensive backs in the NFL in solo tackles with 95 and total tackles with 164. On top of that, Baker added five passes defended, two sacks and a tackle for loss. While the Cardinals brought in a combination of veteran and young talent for the front seven, the defensive backs still have a lot of inexperience, which could prove to be a problem this year. However, like he has done before, I expect Baker to be the leading force for the Arizona defense, as I predict Baker to have 100+ total tackles, 80+ solo tackles, at least three passes defended and an interception or two.

Rookie of the Year: Cornerback Will Johnson

In a room that is currently dealing with season-long injuries to some of their 2024 starters, the young and inexperienced Cardinals cornerbacks are called upon to step up if the team wishes to see improvement from the 2024 season. It does help to see that Arizona focused on improving the room by drafting Will Johnson in the second round and Denzel Burke in the third round to give the Cardinals some much-needed depth, but the question remains on if the room can prove its worth this season. I think one specific cornerback can help provide a boost to not only the room but the entire team, as Johnson comes in with a lot to prove heading into this season. After being considered as one of the top cornerbacks in the 2024 draft class, injury concerns led to him falling to the second round. Now, Johnson looks to become one of the steals of the draft, as I expect him to have 50+ tackles and at least five passes defended, with some interceptions hopefully in there as well.

Hot Take: Cardinals Win a Playoff Game

To wrap up my season predictions, I find it fitting to at least throw in a hot take and see if it somehow comes to life. This year, my hot take is that Arizona wins a playoff game. Now, this is all dependent on whether they make it to the playoffs, but I do see a scenario in which the Cardinals could pull off a postseason win. While it most likely would come in the Wild Card Round, Arizona does have a chance to surprise some people if the opportunity presents itself. Especially if the Cardinals find a way to win their division and host a playoff game, I do think that they can potentially pull it off. However, this take is dependent on whether quarterback Kyler Murray can become the quarterback that Arizona needs going forward.