NFL · NFC West · Est. 1898 · State Farm Stadium
Updated March 17, 2026
The Cardinals missed the 2025-26 playoffs despite signs of progress, victims of a historically loaded NFC West. The Seahawks ran away with the division at 14-3, while the 49ers and Rams both finished 12-5 to claim Wild Card spots, leaving Arizona as the odd team out. Making the postseason in this division may require a near-perfect season.
Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. continued to develop into one of the league's most exciting quarterback-receiver duos in 2025. Harrison showed superstar potential in his second NFL season, and Murray looked more comfortable and consistent than at any point since his early career. The pieces are in place offensively — the Cardinals just need the rest of the roster to catch up.
For the Cardinals to crack the playoff field in a loaded NFC West, Jonathan Gannon's defense must take a significant leap. Arizona's inability to consistently stop the run and generate turnovers was a key factor in several close losses. The 2026 offseason will be critical for adding impact defenders who can close the gap with Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.