Starting the season on the road has become familiar territory for Hjalte Froholdt.
Since he joined the Cardinals in 2023, each Week 1 game has been spent in the visitors' locker room. Beyond Froholdt's tenure, five of the last six openers have been away from State Farm Stadium.
Ask the Cardinals center what he thinks, and he'll compare the nerves to any other game. It's a sentiment, at least outwardly, that most in the building share. Treat Sunday's opener against the Saints just like any other.
But the venue does present challenges, especially with crowd noise. The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans includes a passionate fan base on the Saints' side, with which the volume exponentially rises. The Cardinals work on their silent count daily, preparing the team for the avalanche of noise.
Then again, the crowd noise on Sunday will be similar to the different narratives the players have heard throughout the offseason.
"Sometimes it just becomes this white noise," Froholdt said. "You just kind of zen in on what is my cue and when do I need to snap the ball. I think it's just honing in on what you need to do, and I think that goes to show in everything, even when there's no crowd noise like when you're at home, with media, whatever. Just focus on what you need to do and you might not do it right every time, but with time, hopefully you get better at it."
Froholdt will be in control in a sense since he'll snap the ball. However, communication along the offensive line and with quarterback Kyler Murray is essential. Silent count situations were emphasized during training camp and Froholdt said that some players prefer that cadence because "they get a better feel off the ball."
But as much as the Cardinals focus on it, the situation is magnified when there is an opponent.
Images of the Arizona Cardinals practicing at the Dignity Health Training Facility before the Week 1 regular season matchup against the New Orleans Saints, presented by Gatorade
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (26) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Josiah Deguara (47) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jared Bartlett (48) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (20) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Kitan Crawford (36) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) and Arizona Cardinals Defensive Line Coach Winston "DeBo" DeLattiboudere III during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Elijah Jones (28) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) and Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko (80) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei'Trel Clark (13) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko (80) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt (72) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Tip Reiman (87) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Nick Rallis during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko (80) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jake Curhan (64) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke (29) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Kitan Crawford (36) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Xavier Weaver (89) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during practice at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
"The crowd noise is something you're always going to try to ramp up and put them in as close to the situation as they are going to be in," offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. "Probably the hardest thing is the adrenaline of the game that you necessarily can't recreate."
The excitement for the return of football is at a noticeable high for those in the building. For all the questions some might have about the team this season -- whether it's about the pass rush, Murray's consistency, or the young cornerbacks -- there will finally be answers starting on Sunday.
The Cardinals' rushing attack leaves no doubt with James Conner still playing at a high level. Considering the Saints were tied with the Cowboys with a 48.0 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus (which ranked as the second worst in the league last season), Conner and the running backs should see some success.
"Winning is all in preparation and this whole team prepares very well," Conner said. "I'm confident in that."
Froholdt joins Conner as one of the Cardinals' seven captains for the 2025 season. The recognition, voted on by the team, made the center feel "humbled, honored, and super stoked to try to lead this team the best way I can."
Helping the Cardinals win their first season opener under Jonathan Gannon is a good start. As they get set to enter a hostile environment, the hope of tuning out the noise off the field and creating some noise on the scoreboard is the goal.
"The mindset shifts from I've got to perform to now I'm just playing ball," Froholdt said. "It's just a lot of anticipation. Obviously we've been talking about the Saints for a long time, but we're ready to get after it."
