The Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 preseason brings fresh intrigue and heightened fan and analyst expectations.
After a transformative offseason, Arizona enters training camp in Glendale with renewed hope and calculated risks. The organization’s decision to overhaul its defense while keeping its offense largely unchanged signals clear confidence and significant pressure.
All eyes are on quarterback Kyler Murray as he enters a defining seventh year, surrounded by familiar faces but challenged to elevate a franchise seeking consistency. Meanwhile, new talent joins a retooled roster, with coaches intensifying camp to forge a playoff-ready squad.
This article examines the pivotal storylines shaping Arizona’s preseason, from position battles to key player dynamics, and explores how camp outcomes may define the course of the Cardinals’ 2025 campaign.
Defense Reimagined: Arizona’s New-Look Front
The Cardinals made their boldest offseason moves on defense, seeking to fortify a unit that has struggled for consistency.
Management added first-round pick Walter Nolen III to a rebuilt defensive line that now features seasoned veterans Calais Campbell, Josh Sweat, and Dalvin Tomlinson. This trio brings both talent and leadership, with Campbell’s return providing a morale boost for a team eager to end a playoff drought.
The defensive overhaul extends to edge rusher, where Sweat, joined by returning prospect BJ Ojulari and rookie Jordan Burch, forms a competitive outside linebacker group. As Arizona’s fan base and analysts begin to evaluate NFL preseason odds for the team’s postseason prospects, head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defensive expertise and new roster depth will come under the spotlight.
The question is how quickly the new and returning faces can build chemistry and camaraderie, and focus on the type of disruptive play Arizona needs to make its mark.
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Offensive Stability: Calculated Gamble or Missed Opportunity?
While Arizona’s defense underwent significant changes, the offense remains nearly untouched, a decision that invited scrutiny. General manager Monti Ossenfort’s quiet approach saw only minor adjustments, such as drafting guard Hayden Conner, leaving Kyler Murray’s supporting cast largely intact.
Four of five offensive linemen return, with right guard the lone unresolved spot. Skill positions feature continuity, with Murray joined by Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, and running back James Conner. The unit’s 2024 campaign was inconsistent, oscillating between explosive bursts and frustrating lulls.
This preseason, observers will be watching closely to see if familiarity breeds efficiency or exposes overlooked weaknesses. The decision to “run it back” underscores faith in existing talent, but whether that bet pays off will be tested from the first snap of camp.
Spotlight on Kyler Murray: A Season of Reckoning
Kyler Murray’s seventh training camp arrives at a crossroads in his career. With one playoff appearance in six seasons and a talented, returning supporting cast, expectations are high. Now in his third year in the same offensive system, Murray has the rare stability needed to maximize his potential.
The front office’s confidence in Murray is clear, but so is the pressure; he must guide Arizona from promising stretches to sustained success. Last year showed flashes of brilliance, yet inconsistency lingered.
This preseason, Murray’s command of the huddle, accuracy, and ability to connect with top targets will shape team fortunes.
His relationship with receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is under scrutiny, as improved chemistry could determine the offense’s ceiling. For Murray, 2025 may be a defining season that cements his role as franchise leader or sparks questions about the team’s direction.
Position Battles: Pass Rushers and Corners in Focus
Few preseason storylines captivate like heated position battles, and Arizona’s are particularly intense. At outside linebacker, the arrival of Josh Sweat and Jordan Burch sets up a contest with returning contributors Zaven Collins, Xavier Thomas, and a now-healthy BJ Ojulari.
Sweat has one starting spot locked, but competition for the opposite role is fierce, with Gannon planning rotational packages to maximize performance.
Meanwhile, the cornerback group is crowded after drafting Will Johnson and Denzel Burke, both highly regarded prospects. They join a mix of young veterans, including Garrett Williams and Max Melton, creating a daily test for Arizona’s defense.
With only two or three corners seeing the field at once, each rep in camp carries weight. These battles will help determine both the defense’s floor and ceiling as the season approaches.
Running Backs: A Shifting Backfield Dynamic
Arizona’s ground game features a blend of experience and unproven talent. James Conner, entering his age-30 season, is coming off career highs in both carries (236) and rushing yards (1,094), establishing himself as a steady force since joining the Cardinals in 2021.
However, third-round pick Trey Benson, who logged 63 carries for 291 yards as a rookie, will push for more touches after a modest debut.
With the physical demands of the NFL, camp offers an opportunity for Benson to showcase growth and possibly challenge Conner’s workload. Depth options DeeJay Dallas and Emari Demercado round out a unit that thrives on versatility.
The running back rotation, shaped by camp performance, could provide the offense with new wrinkles and help ease pressure on Murray.
Rookies to Watch: High Expectations, Fresh Starts
Arizona’s 2025 rookie class arrives with expectations and opportunity. Walter Nolen III and Will Johnson headline the newcomers, each with a chance to contribute immediately. Nolen steps into a revamped defensive line, bringing first-round pedigree and learning alongside Campbell and Tomlinson. Johnson, a second-round selection, has the skill set to become a breakout corner and is joined by fellow rookie Denzel Burke in a highly competitive defensive backfield.
On offense, Hayden Conner faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot but represents the only notable new addition to an otherwise unchanged group. The blend of high-ceiling talent and depth among Arizona’s rookies ensures that every preseason rep matters, with several new faces aiming to make their mark and seize playing time early.
Looking Ahead: Setting the Tone for Arizona’s Season
The stakes for Arizona’s 2025 training camp reach beyond roster cuts and depth charts. The intensity coach Jonathan Gannon is demanding signals a franchise determined to move past short-lived success and toward playoff contention. How swiftly the defense gels, whether the offense rewards the team’s confidence, and if key relationships—especially between Murray and Harrison—flourish, will shape the campaign ahead.
With renewed competition at critical positions and rookies ready to challenge for roles, the groundwork for the season is being laid in every practice. What happens in camp will not simply set the initial roster but establish the identity and momentum of a team eager to define its future in the NFL.
*This article is based on information available as of 2025/07/30 and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice or endorsements. Readers should consult official team sources and expert analysis before making decisions related to wagering.
