Is Michael Wilson’s Emergence Real Or Just a Mirage?

Opportunity Meets Circumstance

It is no secret that the Cardinals have receivers that they value more than Wilson. Their 2024 first-round selection, Marvin Harrison Jr., was their highest-drafted receiver since Larry Fitzgerald in 2004. And then there is Trey McBride, who many consider to currently be the best tight end in the NFL.

With such talented players featured in this offense, it can be difficult to find consistent targets. It also does not get any easier when you find yourself in an offense that has struggled mightily to consistently move the ball down the field.

This situation is where Wilson has found himself over these past three seasons, and through the first nine weeks of 2025, it looked to be more of the same. Heading into Arizona’s tenth game, Wilson only had 22 receptions and 231 yards. 

However, he would get his chance to carry a larger workload in a matchup against San Francisco in week 11. With Harrison Jr. needing surgery for appendicitis, Wilson was asked to step up—and he did just that.

Case for a Breakout

Wilson exploded for 185 yards on 15 receptions against the Cardinals’ rivals. Those 15 receptions were good enough to give Wilson the second-most receptions in a game in Cardinals history.

The next week, with Harrison Jr. still on the shelf, he put up another strong performance against Jacksonville.  With 10 catches going for 118 yards, Wilson became the second player this season to record back-to-back games of at least 10 receptions and 100 yards.

Anytime you are being mentioned in conversations with Puka Nacua, you are probably doing something right. This case is no different, as this is one of the most exclusive clubs for receivers so far this season.

Wilson even showed off a bit of the clutch gene against the Jaguars. With time winding down in regulation, Wilson secured a 31-yard reception to set up the game-tying field goal. Although it was ultimately another loss for Arizona, they have to be pleased with Wilson’s ability to step up in crucial moments.

Pump the Brakes?

This run for Wilson is nothing short of incredible, but caution is warranted. It is still only a two game sample size where Harrison Jr. has been out of action. 

On the other hand, we have a much larger sample size of what it looks like when Wilson, Harrison Jr, and McBride all play. As previously mentioned, Wilson hadn’t even reached 250 yards over the first nine games this season when all three men were healthy.

What is expected to happen when Harrison Jr. comes back from appendicitis? Based on what Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon had to say, we should expect to see Wilson continue to make his presence felt. 

However, until we see all three coexist consistently, this should remain a question mark. With Harrison Jr. questionable for week 13 against Tampa Bay, it could be another chance for Wilson to stand out.

The lack of touchdowns for Wilson, with only one so far this year, also has to be a bit of a concern. That touchdown would come all the way in week two against Carolina. Surprisingly, despite his large target share over the past two weeks, only two of those targets came in the redzone. 

Finally, we must consider the context of these games. Yes, Wilson had an incredible showing against the 49ers, but the Cardinals found themselves down early. They didn’t lead for a second in the game and even found themselves down 25 points in the second half. Jacoby Brissett also completed 47 passes this game, an NFL record in the regular season.

It becomes difficult to evaluate performances like these, where Arizona was essentially forced to throw so often.

Final Takes

Michael Wilson’s rise has been unexpected and explosive. In these two games, he has stepped into a major role and delivered. With this success, he has finally begun to receive more recognition from around the league. 

Still, it will have to take more than just a flash in the pan to prove his long-term value. Regardless, Arizona has to seriously consider where he fits going forward and if he can be a foundational piece with the Cardinals for years to come. 

As Arizona continues its search for reliable weapons in a subpar offense, his progression matters deeply. For both Arizona and Wilson, these next weeks will likely reveal whether or not Wilson can be a core piece in the desert going forward.