Before anything else, the Cardinals are going to have to find their new coach.
The offseason brings change and a revamped roster always. But this year, GM Monti Ossenfort needs to find a replacement for Jonathan Gannon first, and then have that person fill out his staff. That will be the group to mold the group Ossenfort has collected. Make no mistake, there is belief in the core players in-house, including many draft picks from whom Ossenfort wants more development as guided by the incoming staff.
"I think we have certainly flipped what this roster looked like three years ago," Ossenfort said. "I believe we have a talented group of young players, players that have played a lot. There is no replication of playing on the field. We have to continue to do better. We have to do better at developing players, a better job of player acquisition."
The Cardinals, right now, have significantly less cap space than they did last year at this time, estimated by overthecap.com at a little more than $20 million. While that's better than the dozen or so teams that will have to cut cap just to not be over, it isn't a lot to work with.
That, of course, can change quickly with players being released or restructured.
The Cardinals have pieces upon which to build. Tight end Trey McBride is the best in the league at his position. Michael Wilson proved he has star potential. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. again played at a high level. But there will be fixes needed, and who the coach is -- and how he wants to play -- will dictate much of it.
With the season coming to a close, azcardinals.com writer Darren Urban gives his personal take on the majority of the Cardinals' roster heading into the offseason. UFA is unrestricted free agent. RFA is restricted free agent (and whose movement can be controlled with a tender offer, which gives right of first refusal). ERFA is exclusive rights, meaning a player must accept a tender offer.
Free agency always plays a big role in how the roster evolves for next season, given the free-agents-to-be. Comments are for today and the future for any particular player is fluid.
| QUARTERBACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Jacoby Brissett | 2026 | Set career-bests in many categories; Is he QB1 or QB2 in '26? |
| Kyler Murray | 2028 | K1 future? "All options are on the table" |
| Kedon Slovis | 2026 | Will have an offseason to show something |
| RUNNING BACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Trey Benson | 2027 | Injuries have left his evaluation incomplete after 2 seasons |
| Michael Carter | *UFA* | That's two years now where he's on the outside, until he comes in to start |
| James Conner | 2026 | Emotional anchor has brutal injury; What is future with new coach? |
| Emari Demercado | *RFA* | One bad mistake. But he brings something to the table that can't be dismissed |
| Bam Knight | *RFA* | Showed speed and something worth keeping around |
| Corey Kiner | 2026 | Will have a chance to battle in offseason |
| WIDE RECEIVERS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brooks | 2026 | Given all the free agents, maybe he makes inroads |
| Greg Dortch | *UFA* | Ill-timed IR stint, right when opportunity might've increased |
| Simi Fehoko | *UFA* | Showed well on special teams before getting hurt |
| Zay Jones | *UFA* | It's been an odd couple of seasons, with fewer receptions than expected |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | 2027 | Rough year with injuries as he (and everyone) waits to see him find his ceiling |
| Xavier Weaver | 2026 | A few more chances, but didn't leave deep impression |
| Michael Wilson | 2026 | Proven WR1 now, right? |
| TIGHT ENDS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Pharaoh Brown | *UFA* | Needed vet down the stretch |
| Josiah Deguara | *UFA* | Ended up with role after all the injuries |
| Rivaldo Fairweather | 2026 | Picked up late to looksee for 2026 |
| Elijah Higgins | 2026 | Became pass-catching weapon |
| Trey McBride | 2029 | NFL record of TE catches for best TE in league |
| Tip Reiman | 2027 | Top blocker waylaid by serious injury |
| Travis Vokolek | *ERFA* | Also lost opportunity after serious injury |
| OFFENSIVE LINE | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Adams (G) | 2027 | Learned lesson after being benched, got back into lineup |
| Kelvin Beachum (T) | *UFA* | Man of the Year needed again to step in |
| Evan Brown (G) | 2026 | Personal issue sidelined him for last month |
| Hayden Conner (G) | 2028 | Rookie overcame injury to get some snaps late |
| Hjalte Froholdt (C) | 2026 | Anchor of the line, one starter who made it through year |
| Josh Fryar (T) | 2027 | Rookie ups and downs after taking over for injured PJJ |
| Jon Gaines (C/G) | 2026 | Showed some promise playing in December |
| Will Hernandez (G) | *UFA* | Knee injury after 2024 injury, didn't hold up |
| Demontrey Jacobs (T) | 2026 | Got in some playing time behind Fryar |
| Paris Johnson Jr. (T) | 2026 | Played well but lost end of season for second straight year |
| Christian Jones (T) | 2027 | Still hard to know what he can be two years in |
| Jonah Williams (T) | *UFA* | Injuries ruined a second year in a row |
| DEFENSIVE LINE | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Calais Campbell | *UFA* | Team record aside, homecoming was huge success |
| Zach Carter | 2026 | Will try to stick with DL in flux |
| L.J. Collier | *UFA* | Spent most of season on IR but still flashed in brief time |
| P.J. Mustipher | *ERFA* | Gave the Cardinals a needed body most of season |
| Bilal Nichols | 2026 | Barely made it on to field with multiple injuries |
| Walter Nolen III | 2028 | Injuries kept him to 6 games, but they were an impressive 6 |
| Darius Robinson | 2027 | Still trying to reach the level of his first-round status |
| Dante Stills | 2026 | Remains solid rotation piece |
| Dalvin Tomlinson | 2026 | Started every game and did his job |
| OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Baron Browning | 2026 | Pair of sacks although Cards hoped for more |
| Jordan Burch | 2028 | Will need big second-year jump |
| Zaven Collins | 2026 | Continued to provide different looks defense needed |
| BJ Ojulari | 2026 | Knee still wasn't all the way back |
| Josh Sweat | 2028 | Top free-agent signing played like it |
| INSIDE LINEBACKERS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Akeem Davis-Gaither | 2026 | Was better against run than pass |
| Austin Keys | 2027 | Another player Cardinals grabbed to look at this offseason |
| Owen Pappoe | 2026 | Continued to be special teams stalwart |
| Cody Simon | 2028 | Rookie got major time after Wilson injury |
| Mack Wilson Sr. | 2026 | Played excellent before season-ending injury |
| CORNERBACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Denzel Burke | 2028 | As rookie emerged as starter by season's end |
| Kei'Trel Clark | 2026 | Provided depth, special teams |
| Darren Hall | *UFA* | Again turned into fill-in piece after injuries hit |
| Will Johnson | 2028 | Had some ups and downs but promising future |
| Elijah Jones | 2027 | Didn't get defensive snaps until finale |
| Kalen King | 2026 | Another late-season add for offseason look |
| Max Melton | 2027 | Fell out of favor on back end of season as defensive snaps dropped |
| Sean Murphy-Bunting | 2026 | Missed entire season on NFI list |
| Starling Thomas V | *RFA* | Cardinals missed him after camp injury |
| Garrett Williams | 2026 | Achilles injury puts beginning of 2026 in doubt |
| SAFETIES | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Budda Baker | 2027 | Pro Bowl berth |
| Joey Blount | 2026 | Early-season injury robbed him of a captain season |
| Kitan Crawford | 2028 | Rookie shined on special teams |
| Dadrion Taylor-Demerson | 2027 | Important part of secondary future |
| Jalen Thompson | *UFA* | What he does in free agency big question for defense |
| SPECIALISTS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Brewer (LS) | *UFA* | Every year he shows up, does the job |
| Blake Gillikin (P) | *UFA* | Second season-ending back injury is a concern |
| Matt Haack (P) | *UFA* | Did well as replacement, and completed a pass too! |
| Joshua Karty (K) | *ERFA* | Yet another pickup to analyze on the 90-man roster |
| Chad Ryland (K) | *RFA* | Had tough stretch at one point; was 25-33 on FGs, perfect on XPs |
