The Arizona Cardinals have spent much of the last few NFL seasons in the shadows of the league’s powerhouses. After parting ways with head coach Kliff Kingsbury and enduring a season filled with injuries and roster instability, expectations dipped to near rock bottom. But as the 2025 NFL season approaches, a sense of cautious optimism has emerged—one that even ESPN analysts have begun to echo. In a recent feature, ESPN offered a bold, albeit tempered, take on the state of the franchise: The Cardinals will probably get better.
This prediction, while lacking in bombast, rings true in its pragmatism. A combination of improved health, coaching stability, key player development, and an infusion of young talent has made the Cardinals one of the NFL’s more intriguing “rebuild-to-watch” projects. Let’s examine the factors fueling this turnaround and why, even in the brutally competitive NFC West, Arizona might finally be building something sustainable.
1. Kyler Murray: The Reclamation of a Franchise Quarterback
The most significant piece in Arizona’s puzzle remains quarterback Kyler Murray. After tearing his ACL in December 2022, Murray returned to the field late in the 2023 season with mixed results. In 2024, he looked far more like his old self—quick off the draw, elusive in the pocket, and capable of making the kinds of throws that can turn a game.
Despite playing behind a makeshift offensive line and with limited skill-position help, Murray posted 18 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions in 2024 while rushing for over 400 yards. ESPN’s quarterback efficiency metrics ranked him 14th overall by the end of the season—a respectable showing for someone coming off a major injury.
Now with a full offseason under his belt and some new weapons at his disposal, Murray is poised for a true bounce-back year. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) projects him to finish 2025 among the top 10 quarterbacks in total EPA (expected points added), provided he remains healthy.
2. Coaching Stability Under Jonathan Gannon
First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon entered the 2023 campaign with a mountain of skepticism surrounding him. The former Eagles defensive coordinator brought a no-nonsense approach to a team that had often appeared undisciplined and unfocused in prior seasons.
Though the record didn’t reflect immediate success (the Cardinals finished 4–13 in 2023 and 6–11 in 2024), signs of progress were visible in how the team competed. Arizona was one of the scrappiest teams in the league in 2024, pushing multiple playoff-bound squads to the wire. They ranked top-10 in fewest penalties and showed marked improvement in red zone defense.
ESPN notes that Gannon’s influence is especially evident on the defensive side, where the Cardinals blitzed less frequently but more effectively. His simplified coverages and emphasis on fundamentals have helped young defenders play faster and with more confidence.
3. 2025 NFL Draft: A Franchise-Defining Haul
Perhaps the biggest catalyst for optimism comes from Arizona’s 2025 NFL Draft class. Holding two first-round picks—thanks to the 2023 trade with Houston—the Cardinals capitalized in a big way.
- Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 overall pick in 2024, now enters his second season and is poised for superstardom. But Arizona doubled down on receiver talent by drafting Xavier Worthy out of Texas in the 1st round of 2025, giving Murray a lethal one-two punch on the outside.
- Jared Verse, the edge rusher from Florida State selected at No. 17 overall, is expected to provide immediate pass-rush production. His motor and technique wowed scouts throughout the pre-draft process.
- Trevin Wallace, a linebacker from Kentucky, was a steal in the third round. His sideline-to-sideline range and play recognition already have him penciled in for starting reps.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller gave the Cardinals an “A-” grade, citing their blend of “elite top-end talent and high-floor depth pieces.”
4. Offensive Line Reinforcements and Philosophy Shift
For years, the Cardinals’ offensive line has been their Achilles’ heel. In response, the front office invested heavily during the offseason. Veteran guard Connor Williams was signed to solidify the interior, and second-round pick Graham Barton from Duke could start at center from day one.
But perhaps more importantly, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has evolved his scheme to accommodate quicker releases and more zone-read concepts to mitigate pressure on Murray. ESPN analyst Mina Kimes noted during a recent segment that Arizona’s time-to-throw decreased significantly in the final six games of 2024, evidence that the offense was finding rhythm and structure.
5. A Defense on the Rise
Arizona’s defense isn’t yet elite, but it’s trending upward. Cornerback Garrett Williams developed into a legitimate CB1 by midseason last year, while safety Budda Baker remains the heart and soul of the unit. Second-year defensive lineman Dante Stills flashed as a disruptive interior presence, and the addition of Jared Verse should free up more one-on-one opportunities across the line.
The team finished 18th in total defense in 2024—up from 29th the previous year—and ESPN’s advanced defensive efficiency metric has Arizona projected to land inside the top 15 in 2025.
6. Schedule Favorability and Divisional Outlook
While the NFC West remains one of the league’s most physical divisions, there’s opportunity for Arizona to gain ground. The Rams are in retooling mode post-Aaron Donald, the 49ers face serious cap issues and an aging core, and the Seahawks are in transition with a new head coach.
Arizona’s 2025 schedule also lines up favorably. They face several teams expected to be in rebuild mode (Patriots, Panthers, Broncos), and five of their games will be against teams with projected bottom-10 defenses. ESPN’s FPI gave Arizona the 12th-easiest schedule heading into 2025.
7. Culture Shift and Locker Room Buy-In
One of the most underrated storylines in ESPN’s coverage was how Jonathan Gannon has reshaped the culture. By all accounts, this is a team that believes in its trajectory. Veteran leaders like Budda Baker and James Conner have endorsed the team’s vision, while young players have spoken openly about the newfound accountability in the building.
In interviews, Gannon emphasizes “competitive maturity”—a concept focused on preparation, resilience, and execution under pressure. ESPN’s Louis Riddick praised this cultural pivot as “a foundational shift that often precedes sustainable success.”
8. Financial Flexibility Moving Forward
Arizona has managed its salary cap intelligently, avoiding the temptation to overspend in free agency while keeping future flexibility intact. According to ESPN’s roster management analysis, the Cardinals are projected to be in the top five in available cap space by the 2026 offseason.
That means they’ll be able to extend key players like Zaven Collins and Rondale Moore while still having room to add premium talent if needed. ESPN’s Mike Clay points to this as a long-term competitive advantage, especially as rivals face cap crunches.
9. Reasonable Expectations Are a Good Thing
When ESPN says “the Cardinals will probably get better,” it’s not a guarantee of a playoff run. Rather, it’s a calculated assessment based on trendlines that point toward competence, competitiveness, and cohesion. A 9–8 or even 8–9 finish in 2025 would represent a significant leap forward for a team that has struggled with identity and inconsistency.
In other words, “better” doesn’t have to mean Super Bowl contender—it means functional, dangerous, and on a clear path upward.
Conclusion: Don’t Sleep on the Redbirds
After years of frustration, mismanagement, and half-measures, the Arizona Cardinals are finally laying the groundwork for a sustainable rebuild. ESPN’s forecast—that the Cardinals will “probably” improve—might seem lukewarm on the surface, but it reflects a realistic optimism grounded in tangible upgrades.
With Kyler Murray healthier and more motivated, a young nucleus of talent on both sides of the ball, and a coaching staff that has bought credibility through toughness and clarity, Arizona could surprise a lot of people in 2025. They’re not there yet—but for the first time in a long time, the Cardinals know where they’re going.
