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Cardinals name team captains for 2025 season, headlined by first-timers

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 7:54 PM ET

GLENDALE – The Cardinals have named their 2025 team captains, with plenty of first-timers taking the mantle. The usual suspects of QB Kyler Murray, RB James Conner and SAF Budda Baker all retained their title from last year, with LB Mack Wilson Sr., C Hjalte Froholdt and special teams leader Joey Blunt all being first-timers. The last captain named was not a first-time captain for the Cardinals but hadn’t been one in nearly a decade in DL Calais Campbell.

Campbell being named captain for Cardinals:

“You’ve got to lead by example. You’ve got to be early and on time for all the meetings. You’ve got to create enthusiasm, keep the energy good and make sure everyone’s on the same page. Being accountable and try to hold everyone on the team accountable.

“That (being captain) was huge. Now I’ve got to live up to it. I got to be worthy and be a captain every day and represent this team at the highest level and make sure we do what we’re supposed to do.”

Head coach Jonathan Gannon says that Campbell’s impact on the roster has been huge and him being voted captain already “means a lot,” to the team. The players were “ecstatic” for Campbell to earn that honor after being away from the team for nine year. However, the 38-year-old’s impact still goes well beyond his years.

Murray and Baker being named captains means they maintain the golden “C” on their jersey, with Conner now joining them this season, as the 2025 season will be his fourth straight season being a team captain. Conner is about to enter only his fifth season with Arizona but has had the same impact as fellow captains like Murray and Baker, who have been he longer.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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