Latest on the Arizona Cardinals Deep Dive (2025 Season Update)

Here’s an in-depth look (1000+ words) at what’s going on with the Arizona Cardinals this season: big signings, injuries, game collapses, roster moves, and what it all means moving forward.

1. Season Snapshot & Expectations

The Cardinals entered 2025 with the aim of improving on their 2024 mark of 8-9, and perhaps re-entering playoff contention under head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort.

Currently (as of late October) their record stands at 2-5, and they sit 4th in the NFC West.

They began 2-0, but then dropped five straight games — the longest active losing streak in the NFL.In short: expectations were modest but hopeful; reality so far has been frustrating.

2. Injuries & Key Personnel issues

A. Major Injuries

RB James Conner suffered a serious foot injury in Week 3 and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

CB Sean Murphy‑Bunting was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on May 22, ending his 2025 campaign before it even began.

Multiple other injuries: for example, rookie DT Walter Nolen had a calf injury and hadn’t played through Week 7.

B. Depth & Roster Impacts

With Conner out and other backs injured, the ground game is forced to rely on less-experienced backs. The defensive backfield has been depleted. These injuries ripple: scheme adjustments, younger players forced into larger roles, and less margin for error.

Injuries are a major reason the Cardinals’ start has faltered — health and depth matters, and the Cards are getting tested.

3. Roster Moves & Contract Highlights

A. Key Signings

The Cardinals re-signed LB Baron Browning to a 2-year deal worth around $15 million (with incentives to $19 m).

They also inked veteran DE Calais Campbell (who began his career in Arizona) to a one-year return deal (~$5.5 m to $7.5 m).

The team re-signed long snapper Aaron Brewer and special-teams ace Joey Blount to maintain core special teams continuity.

B. Transactions & Roster Flexibility

The Cardinals have made a number of moves: adding and releasing players, working out quarterbacks, adjusting the practice squad. For example, they worked out three QBs on a given Wednesday to ensure depth.

These moves communicate two things: the team is hedging against further injuries, and they are exploring whether they can still salvage the season or need to pivot toward next year.

4. Game-by-Game & Performance Patterns

A. Collapse vs. Tennessee

One of the most painful losses: vs. Tennessee Titans, where Arizona blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead and lost 22-21. Mistakes — including a fumble by RB Emari Demercado on a would-be TD, a dropped interception, and a game-winning field goal by the Titans — encapsulated the Cardinals’ problems.

Coach Gannon labelled the mistakes “unacceptable.” This kind of collapse reflects broader issues: execution, mental toughness, and depth.

B. Late-game/Defensive Woes

Fan-based outlets and analysis show recurring themes: the Cardinals often have leads but fail to close; the pass rush and secondary haven’t been consistent; defensive breakdowns in the fourth quarter have cost them games.

Offensively, injuries and reliance on backups hurt continuity; defensively, the lack of consistent pressure and too many big plays allowed haunt them.

C. Statistical Rankings

According to CBS Sports, as of late October:

Offense: ~110.4 rushing yards/game (20th), 223.0 passing yards/game (19th), total ~310.3 yards/game (22nd).

Defense: ~335.7 yards allowed/game (19th), 246.3 passing yards allowed (22nd).

Thus, the team is below average offensively and defensively, which aligns with the record and game outcomes.

5. What’s Going Right (and Could Be Built On)

Rookie DB Will Johnson is being recognised — e.g., listed among top rookie corners mid-season.

Veteran leadership: Re-signing players like Browning, Campbell, Brewer adds experience and stabilises core.

The team is showing proactive roster management: workouts, practice-window designations (e.g., CB Garrett Williams being designated for return).

Early wins and moments of promise exist; the team is not entirely broken.

6. What’s Going Wrong & What Needs Fixing

A. Injuries & Depth

The early injuries (Conner, Murphy-Bunting, Nolen, others) decimated planned rotations. Depth is tested; younger or backup players are playing large roles, sometimes before ready.

B. Inconsistent Execution

Losses via blown leads, special-teams mistakes, offense stalling, defense giving up big plays: these are red flags. The Titans game is a clear example. These types of mistakes often differentiate contenders from non-contenders.

C. Offensive Identity & QB/Backfield Questions

With Conner out, the backfield had to shuffle. The QB situation (Kyler Murray’s health and performance) remains a talking point. As the rushing attack falters, the team leans more on passing, which hasn’t yielded enough.

The offensive line and the run/pass balance may need rethinking.

D. Defensive Pressure & Secondary

The Cardinals’ defense struggles with consistency: pass rush, fourth-quarter defense, and coverage breakdowns have hurt them. Veteran Campbell helps, but youth and injuries are factors.

The secondary losses mean more one-on-one situations and less margin for error.

7. Trade-Deadline & Mid-Season Considerations

As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Cardinals face a decision: buy (try to acquire reinforcements), sell (trade expiring players/draft capital to build for 2026), or stand pat (hope internal fixes work).

Given the 2-5 start, injuries, and uneven play, many analysts argue the Cardinals are now leaning toward a pivot rather than full push. Fan commentary suggests frustration and scepticism about the current trajectory.

But still — if they can stabilise injuries and fix execution, there remains a path to salvage the season, albeit a narrow one.

8. What to Watch: Upcoming Months

Injury returns: key players like Garrett Williams (CB) and others coming off IR or practice-window designations. Their availability and performance will matter.

Running back rotation: With Conner out, how will backs like Bam Knight or Trey Benson step up? The ground game may determine offensive balance.

Quarterback health/performance: Kyler Murray’s foot/ankle health and consistency will be critical.

Defensive improvements: Will the pass rush and secondary tighten up? Will big-play allowance drop?

Game-management and late-game execution: Can the Cardinals stop blowing leads? Do special teams improve?

Roster moves & trades: Will Arizona make a splash, address deficiencies via trade, or begin laying groundwork for next season?

Fan sentiment and organisational direction: As losses mount, pressure on coaching and management increases. The organisation’s response will be telling.

9. Outlook: Where Things Stand & What’s Possible

At this point, the Cardinals are in a “make or regroup” phase. With a 2-5 start, playoff hopes are distant but not mathematically dead. Realistically, their path to success will require:

A shift in injuries: better health or younger players stepping up seamlessly.

Dramatic improvement in execution and consistency.

Possibly adding a key player via trade to shore up a major weakness (backfield, pass rush, cornerback).

Winning a few consecutive games to build momentum — especially within their division/NFC West.

If none of those things happen, a post-season push becomes unlikely, and the team may begin focusing more on 2026. But the building blocks are there — experienced veterans, some emerging youth, and a coach/GM in place. It’s just a question of whether the team can coalesce now or needs more time.

10. Final Thoughts

The Arizona Cardinals entered 2025 with cautious optimism. Instead, they’ve encountered significant adversity: injuries, blown leads, under-performing units and a rough record. Yet, there remain glimmers of hope: youth stepping up, veterans holding the line, and the organisational stability of Gannon/Ossenfort.

For fans and observers: the next few weeks are critical. If the Cardinals can string together improved performances and manage injury recoveries, they may still salvage a respectable season and set a foundation. If not, the narrative may shift toward re-building or re-tooling for 2026.

Whichever path the Cardinals choose, they are at a crossroads — and how they respond will define the next chapter of this franchise.