As the horn sounded after stretching to mark the start of OTAs, the Cardinals spaced out over the two practice fields by position groups. Per usual, the defense broke out into drills on the field closest to the media. With paper rosters in hand, the local reporters got their first look at the new players added to the unit.
Few were looking in the offense's direction. That's likely because the offense looks nearly identical to 2024.
"It's up to us to own up to that responsibility," running back James Conner said. "It's our job to get the ball in the end zone with the group that we got right now. We feel that responsibility and the pressure is good for us, so we're enjoying it."
The positive impact of continuity has already paid dividends when the Cardinals wore their helmets for the first time on Wednesday.
"We've talked about this with the staff at times too that there's certain things you don't have to have a conversation about or get corrected or teach," offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. "You can maybe step into some next level stuff in some more detail."
By running it back with the offense, it's a commitment of confidence from GM Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon. They're looking to build upon a season which featured Trey McBride eclipsing 1,000-plus receiving yards and Conner hitting the 1,000-plus rushing yards mark once again. Last season was only the fifth time in franchise history the Cardinals had a 3,000-yard passer in Kyler Murray, and a rusher and receiver both with over 1,000 yards.
Also, it was clear that Marvin Harrison Jr.'s involvement and production shifted towards the end of the season. His only back-to-back games with 50-plus receiving yards came in Week 17 and 18 against the Rams and 49ers.
Images of the Arizona Cardinals during Phase Three of the 2025 offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Benton Whitley (49) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) , Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) , Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) and Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Evan Brown (63) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (59) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Sincere Haynesworth (61) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Xavier Thomas (54) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Elliott Brown (41) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jaden Davis (39) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei'Trel Clark (13) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Burch (52) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jaden Davis (39) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) and Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (79), Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55), Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Justin Jones (98) and Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins (90) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Dadrion "Rabbit" Taylor-Demerson (42) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Baron Browning (5) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe (35) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Evan Brown (63) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon (50) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Josh Fryar (78) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (83) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
"We started to move him around the formation a little bit more," Petzing said. "I think you saw it with some of the motions and positions he was in. But at the end of the day, I don't think it was a drastic shift in how we used him."
Harrison finished his rookie campaign with eight touchdowns and 885 yards. It was a solid year on paper, yet it became evident that there was more to be desired entering his sophomore season in the league. Harrison said he's been in "constant conversation" with Petzing about taking the next steps.
Going into his third season with the Cardinals and second year with the Murray-Harrison duo, Petzing's familiarity can help the team reach new heights.
"There's certain things now that you get to pay attention to that allow you to be more effective," Petzing said, noting potential changes that could be made before the ball is snapped. "I think it allows the guys to play a little bit faster and have a bit more success."
There's a belief throughout the facility that Murray and Harrison's connection will continue to grow, McBride's emergence has only just begun, and the rushing attack will remain a focal point.
But Conner said it all begins during this time of year.
"Winning stands for What's Important Now," Conner said. "(Wednesday was) the first day back that we put helmets on, so we know what's coming and we know what's at stake. But if we don't win today, we don't got a chance. We're taking it one day at a time."
