Can the Cardinals be Arizona sports savior after Suns trade Durant?

Can Cardinals save Arizona Sports?

Much of the Cardinals success will be on the shoulder of seven-year quarterback Kyler Murray. General manager Monti Ossenfort spent over $100 million this offseason to improve the defense by signing Pro Bowlers like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell. Meanwhile, Ossenfort didn’t add a significant offensive weapon in free agency or draft, leaving Murray to carry the offensive load.

Since head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has taken over, Arizona has had an elite run game, being top-5 in their first two seasons. Murray’s ability to escape the pocket is one of the best in the league and leads to chunk plays that builds momentum in the offense, while running back James Conner at 30 years old has proven to be a solid power back in today’s NFL.

The emergence of young receiving threats like tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has the offense set to be a stellar unit in 2025. Murray has failed to win a playoff game with Arizona and could achieve that and more next season with the roster constructed.

A reason for the hype is for the big names signed in free agency, but also the prospects taken in the 2025 NFL draft. Ossenfort spent six of the team’s seven draft picks on the defense and took a swing with promising prospects like cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Walter Nolen.

Nolen is one of the many young faces on the defense that will make fans excited once they see the power he possess. The 21-year-old led Ole Miss to the best running defense in the nation and will have the opportunity to grow under the learning tree of a 17-year vet in Campbell.

After the injury to starting cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, Johnson’s importance for next season has increased by tenfold. The national champion was arguably the best defensive back prospect in the draft and only slipped because of injury concerns. Johnson disregarded those concerns and lasered in on leading the Cardinals defense to elite status.

Fans around the valley haven’t witness a defense this formidable in over a decade, and it could lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2021. The Cardinals have the most expectations around them in years, and while history has shown in Arizona sports that typically leads to disappointment, this has the players to break that mold and give fans something to believe in again.