No More Excuses: The Cardinals Need to Elevate—Now
The Arizona Cardinals are out of time for half-measures. If they have any real intention of punching their ticket to this year’s Super Bowl, they don’t just need to “improve”—they need to transform. The NFC is not waiting around for anyone, and certainly not for a team stuck somewhere between a rebuild and a revival.
Let’s start at the top: Kyler Murray. No more “maybe he’s back.” He is back—and now he needs to lead like it. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance—the arm talent, the escapability, the electric energy. But flashes won’t cut it anymore. The Cardinals need consistency, command, and leadership from their franchise quarterback. Kyler has to stop being a highlight reel and start being a weekly problem for defenses.
And what about the weapons around him? James Conner remains a reliable workhorse, but he can’t carry the offense on his back. Arizona needs to find ways to unleash Trey McBride, who’s turning into one of the more exciting young tight ends in the league. He has the hands, the size, and the motor. Feed him. Rondale Moore has the speed to change a game in one snap—now it’s up to the coaching staff to stop treating him like an afterthought and start scheming him into space.
Defensively, the burden is heavier—but the potential is there. Budda Baker is the heartbeat of this defense. His intensity, his leadership, and his sideline-to-sideline hustle should be setting the tone every single snap. But he can’t do it alone. Young talents like Zaven Collins and BJ Ojulari need to grow up fast. Every contender has a defense that can steal a game. Right now, Arizona’s unit looks more like a question mark than a threat.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon was brought in with promises of toughness, identity, and vision. So far, it’s been a mixed bag. This is the moment to plant his flag. To stop playing it safe and start coaching with guts. Scheme aggressively. Take chances. Own the clock. The time for building culture is over—now it’s about delivering wins.
Because here’s the reality: the Cardinals aren’t just playing for respect. They’re playing for relevance. The NFC is stacked with hungry teams—Detroit, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas—all built to win now. Arizona can’t wait for next year. They need to force their way into the conversation this year. And they can—if they’re willing to stop settling.
If Arizona wants to reach the Super Bowl, it starts now. With urgency. With identity. With fire. They need to stop tiptoeing around greatness and go take it.
No more waiting. No more potential. No more “maybe next season.”
The time to fly is now—or get grounded for good.
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