Arizona Cardinals, Monti Ossenfort
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Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort.
When it comes to the upcoming 2026 season, things will look a lot different for the Arizona Cardinals.
For one, they’ll be welcoming in a new coaching staff led by head coach Mike LaFleur, who takes over for Jonathan Gannon after he was fired.
However, gone will be seven-year starting quarterback Kyler Murray, which in turn brings with it perhaps even more questions about the franchise than it does answers.
Considering the Cardinals only signed veteran backup Gardner Minshew to compete with Jacoby Brissett to replace Murray, that has given little hope about the 2026 season. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay says they should already be making a plan for 2027 instead.
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It could be a rough first year for LaFleur in his first head coaching stint. He’ll potentially have to lead this team knowing wins could be scarce with the current roster.
“With both quarterbacks soon to be over 30 years old, it’s clear the Cardinals don’t have a viable long-term option worth building around. Given the lack of depth at the position in the 2026 draft, it’s unlikely Arizona will find one next month either,” Kay wrote.
“There’s a chance the Cardinals could hit a home run with a Day 2 or 3 selection—someone like Garrett Nussmeier would be a sensible gamble—but it would behoove the organization to start looking ahead to 2027 and a far better opportunity to find a worthy heir to Murray.”
Kay then floated the idea that Arizona should consider what it can get in return for the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft.
“Whether they opt to dangle the No. 3 overall pick in exchange for future firsts or put together a package using some of their six other selections in 2026, the Cardinals should be working the phones to come up with as much 2027 capital as possible.”
That would certainly be a bold strategy from general manager Monti Ossenfort, but it would also send a clear signal about the team’s direction. With as many needs as the Cardinals have, stockpiling draft capital could be the most logical path forward.
Of course, the prevailing theory is that Arizona could be positioning itself for Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who is expected to headline a loaded 2027 class.
Cardinals Facing Low Expectations Entering 2026 Season
The Cardinals aren’t exactly drawing high expectations for 2026, either. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport projects the team to finish 5-12 next season.
“Doubling last year’s win total would be just about a best-case scenario—but adding even a couple of victories would be a step forward for a team once again embarking on a rebuild,” Davenport wrote.
The Cardinals haven’t had a winning season since 2021, when they finished 11-6 and made their last playoff appearance. Since then, they’ve gone 19-49.
It’s clear this team still has a lot of work to do before it can realistically be considered a contender again. Between dealing with Murray’s departure and identifying a future franchise quarterback, the bigger picture is still coming into focus.
But that turnaround likely won’t come in 2026. All signs appear to be pointing toward 2027.