Three burning questions for 2025 Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals took a small step forward in 2024 under head coach Jonathan Gannon, but they will face pressure to take an even bigger step this season. Here are three burning questions for the team going into the 2025 season.

Can Kyler Murray be the guy?

After three consecutive injury-shortened seasons, the Cardinals finally got a full season out of quarterback Kyler Murray, and it still did not answer the most important question regarding his status as the team's starting quarterback: Is he the guy to get them to a championship level?

Murray is entering 2025 with the fifth-largest salary-cap number among NFL quarterbacks, but he has never really played at a top-five level.

And sometimes not even a top-10 level.

He has certainly shown flashes of that ability, but it has never really come together in a total package that can elevate the team. 

He finished the 2024 season 20th in yards per pass attempt (7.1), 13th in touchdown passes (21), ninth in total QB (66.5) and 16th in passer rating (93.5). Those are fine numbers. A team could certainly do worse at quarterback. But the Cardinals should be expecting more for the money they have invested in Murray.

Will Marvin Harrison Jr. have a breakout year?

If there is anybody on the Cardinals roster who has game-changing, superstar potential, Harrison Jr. is it. The Cardinals drafted him with a top-five pick in 2024 in the hopes that he could be Murray's go-to, big-play wide receiver. 

He finished his rookie season with 62 catches for 885 yards and 14.3 yards per reception. It was a solid rookie year. But if the Cardinals offense is going to truly take off, they are going to need him to take a significant step in year two and become more of a consistent, impact player. 

If he can, the Cardinals have the foundation for a strong offense with him and tight end Trey McBride. 

But if he remains inconsistent and doesn't make that big jump, it's going to leave the Cardinals wanting more. 

How much better can the defense be?

Gannon has a defensive background, and the team did make some big strides in 2024, going from 31st in points against to 16th in 2025. That's progress.

But it's probably not enough for what Gannon and the Cardinals want. 

They invested heavily in the defensive side of the ball this offseason, signing edge-rusher Josh Sweat in free agency and then going defense with six of their seven draft picks. That includes first-round pick Walter Nolen and a potential second-round steal in cornerback Will Johnson. That is a big investment in the area that Gannon excels in, and combined with the return of safety Budda Baker, there should be an expectation for this defense to take another big jump forward. Anything less than the top 10 should be a disappointment.