If you have consumed any Arizona Cardinals content over the past two weeks, it has probably tilted toward negative. They have the NFL’s longest Super Bowl odds and only acquired one clear starter in free agency. Their quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, went 1-11 last season.
Three years after Monti Ossenfort’s rebuild began, it’s back to square one. The re-rebuild is on.
But it’s not all bad. The young building blocks, who led to so much optimism this time a year ago, are still here. Mike LaFleur promises to usher in a new era as head coach. The No. 3 overall pick beckons.
So, in the name of taking a pause from the negativity, here are five reasons to be excited about the 2026 Arizona Cardinals.
1. Upcoming high draft picks
The Cardinals hold the No. 3 and No. 34 picks in April's draft. A year from now, they may very well hold another top-five pick.
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Hitting on that type of draft capital is how bad teams become good.
Three years ago, the Cardinals turned the No. 3 pick into Paris Johnson Jr. and a future first (which they spent on Darius Robinson). Two years ago, they drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall. Even with a mediocre track record on those picks, they were able to acquire a franchise left tackle and a solid wide receiver.
Similar reinforcements will be coming soon.
At No. 3 overall, the Cardinals will have options. They can take a risk on a talented but flawed prospect at a premium position — edge rusher or offensive tackle. Or they can add an elite prospect at a non-premium position, such as linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs or running back Jeremiyah Love.
At No. 34, Ossenfort will aim to replicate his Day 2 success stories of previous drafts. He has previously spent those picks on players like Michael Wilson, Will Johnson and Garrett Williams.
And next year, the Cardinals could be in a position to draft their replacement for Kyler Murray. It’s a long way away, but Texas’ Arch Manning and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin are among the top quarterback prospects set to come out in 2027.
2. Nolen’s development
In 169 snaps as a rookie, Walter Nolen showed everything that made him the No. 16 pick in last year’s draft.
He exploded off the line of scrimmage, blew up run blocks and made life miserable on opposing offensive linemen. On 99 pass-rush snaps, he recorded 15 pressures — a remarkable 15.2% pressure rate. Among defensive linemen with as many snaps as Nolen, no one generated pressure more often.
The problem, of course, was staying on the field. With three different injuries throughout the year, Nolen was essentially available for only a quarter of the season.
And now, he has a knee injury of uncertain severity. No member of the Cardinals’ brass has been willing to discuss its severity, nor Nolen’s return-to-play timeline.
But whenever he returns, Nolen’s development will be worth watching. In six games as a rookie, he showed the potential to be the Cardinals’ most disruptive pass rusher since Chandler Jones. Imagine what could come next.
3. LaFleur’s offensive system
Even if the Cardinals struggle this year, Mike LaFleur will aim to bring an exciting, creative offense to the desert.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.
For a recent comparison, look at Dave Canales with the 2024 Carolina Panthers and Kellen Moore with the 2025 New Orleans Saints.
Neither of those teams was particularly good. Combined, they went 11-23. But both made marked strides, particularly on offense. Their first-year head coaches showed they had the chops to outperform expectations. In Carolina’s case, they followed that promise up with a division title the next year. New Orleans hopes to do the same in 2026.
In some ways, that’s the blueprint the Cardinals will try to follow this season. Even if they’re bad, it’ll be worth watching how LaFleur implements his own offensive system, especially given he hasn’t called plays since 2022.
4. Young pieces aiming to establish themselves
The Cardinals already have a group of young, foundational players, led by Trey McBride, Paris Johnson Jr. and Michael Wilson. As rookies, Nolen and Will Johnson showed that they’re well on their way to joining them.
But below that tier, there’s a group of players that will be looking to establish themselves this season as part of the organization’s future.
As the roster is currently constructed, Isaiah Adams will get the first crack at right guard. Jordan Burch will play an important rotational role at edge rusher. Cody Simon will be a starter at inside linebacker. Behind him, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson will get his first prolonged chance to start at safety. Denzel Burke could start opposite Johnson at outside cornerback.
Each of those players will be in his second or third season. None has yet proven that they’re a certain part of the Cardinals’ future. That makes 2026 a crucial season for development — and for the organization. It is much easier to build a winning program with 10 foundational pieces than it is with five.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) reacts after scoring during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati.
5. 2027 cap space
After free agency, the Cardinals’ effective cap space for 2027 sits at … $156 million. Yes, that’s a real number, per Over The Cap.
That space will shrink between now and then, with costly extensions on tap for Michael Wilson, Paris Johnson Jr. and potentially Garrett Williams. But still: The Cardinals will have abundant room with which to work a year from now, in part because of their frugality in this year’s free agency period.
It might not be a reason to be excited for 2026, but it’s a reason to believe the re-rebuild could be quick — if the Cardinals’ brass can take advantage of their resources in the draft and free agency.
