Arizona Cardinals positioned to prove PFF’s 2025 NFC West predictions wrong

PFF’s analysis reflects what most around the league feel, which is that Arizona is still in the rebuilding phase. Kyler Murray is healthy, and Marvin Harrison Jr. brings star power, but question marks remain across both lines, and the roster’s depth is still a work in progress. Is PFF understating the Cardinals’ potential? Their roster has been massively retooled and Arizona has one of the most dynamic playmakers at the quarterback position. PFF may view the Cardinals as the third-best bet to win the NFC West, though what they didn’t account for was their breakout potential.

Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon is installing a tough defense with a culture rooted in effort and discipline. With new additions such as Linebacker Josh Sweat and Defensive Tackle Calais Campbell, it will be a completely different sight for Arizona on that end, which most aren’t taking into account.

The rest of the NFC West isn’t bulletproof. San Francisco has elite talent but has lost massive pieces of the puzzle, such as WR Deebo Samuel and DT Javon Hargrave, and with their injury history, they aren’t a slam dunk to win the division. The Los Angeles Rams have a talented offense, though they are leaning on aging stars like QB Matthew Stafford and WR Davante Adams. Seattle is going through a rebuilding phase with their newest addition, QB Sam Darnold, and shouldn’t be much of a threat to win the division.

Arizona might not be high up in PFF’s preseason rankings, though that is nothing new. What’s different is that this version of the Cardinals has been growing its talent, identity, and culture. That alone should warrant a little more respect, although Arizona is poised and ready to go and earn it.