Cardinals’ abysmal defensive pressure rate ranked third worst in NFL

This has had a strategic impact on Arizona this season. A unit that can’t make the quarterback uncomfortable weakens the entire defensive structure. Underneath the secondary fades, deep-ball vulnerability grows, and offenses lean on time and space, and that has hurt Arizona badly during its five-game losing streak. For Cards fans, it’s the frustration of watching one-dimensional drives slip through the line. Nationally, it speaks to broader themes of roster construction in today’s league, and that talent isn’t enough without scheme and urgency.

Emotionally, the effect is psychological. When the rush fails, the defense tries to cover long enough and hopes for a stop. That brings fatigue, and fan cynicism. The data confirms it, as with a 23.3% pressure rate, the Cardinals’ rush is merely average, while the expectation was elevated. Newcomers Josh Sweat and Baron Browning have had their moments, but are nowhere near making the noise they need to be if they want the Cardinals’ defense to be successful.

Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon spoke on the pass rush problems, “Four-man rush mechanics, I thought we were really good yesterday. Where we weren’t so good is on the back end. Just as (far as), are we taking away the first look? Are we on the right people? Are we closing windows? Are we winning leverage? That was the epitome of—we’ve probably had more production in games before that and you’re like, ’Oh, we’re rushing really good and then we didn’t rush good yesterday.” (Credit: Donnie Druin | Sports Illustrated)

The Cards must generate consistent pressure to unlock their secondary and shift momentum. Roster upgrades alone won’t fix the issue; scheme adaptation and play-style clarity must follow. Arizona’s front office should watch pressure rate and sack-to-pressure conversion, not just sack totals, to assess defensive progress.