Before the 2025 season began, Jonathan Gannon announced that seven players were voted as captain, the most since the regime began: James Conner, Kyler Murray, and Hjalte Froholdt represented the offense, while Budda Baker, Mack Wilson Sr., and Calais Campbell led the defense. Joey Blount represented special teams.
As only Baker, Campbell, and Froholdt walked out for the coin toss last week, it was apparent how much has changed since then.
"Calais was talking to me about it when we were doing the coin toss that it's down to the three of us," Baker said. "That's definitely something that's kind of weird, but at the end of the day, it's our job to continue to just do our job and try to lead the guys as best as we can."
Conner, Murray, Wilson, and Blount all landed on Injured Reserve. During a time when those veteran voices are needed the most, the team has found themselves on a tough stretch, losing seven of eight games. When Baker was asked who are some of the players that have stepped up on the leadership front, the safety mentioned linebacker Cody Simon and quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
A rookie and a 10-year veteran.
It's a tangible example that the Cardinals are full of vocal players willing to speak out.
"A lot of other guys got (captain) votes too, and they know that, and they need to step up and lead the team," Gannon said. "As much as you say 'Oh, this guy is out and this guy is out,' well, we've got players in there too. I trust them."
One of the players that has had captain aspirations since his arrival has been Paris Johnson Jr. On game days, Johnson gathers the offensive and defensive line and delivers a passionate speech. Even as a third-year player, he's garnered the respect from the locker room to rally the players, something he'll do once again against the Jaguars.
"This team has a lot more captains that don't wear the patch," Johnson said. "Something that is important in each room is that we set the standard for what a Cardinal is and even the guys that haven't played this season that are now playing, they now know it's their job to carry on the standard of the room."
Each player has their own leadership style. Brissett is even-keeled but can become fiery on game days. Johnson is the hype man. Froholdt said he's more of a "action speaks louder than anything" kind of leader but will sit down one-on-one with his teammates.
Dalvin Tomlinson shares messages that he learned from legendary coach Nick Saban.
"It's from my experience being in the league, and I guess the Bama Way is coming out," the defensive lineman said. "You've got to make sure you keep the team together, keep the group together, and sometimes you got to step up. I've got to do my job, plus."
Because of the challenges the team has faced this season, Tomlinson said his goal is to make sure that the players are in the right mental space and locked in on the playbook.
"We feel like we're not in the position we want to be in," Tomlinson said. "Yet we're still going to put in the work to finish where we want to be at the end of the year."
Baker added that the losses have stung, but because the NFL is such a week-to-week business, there's no time to dwell on the recent defeats.
When he heads out for the coin toss on Sunday, the attention shifts towards letting their play do the talking.
"At the end of the day, we all understand that this is our job, but we all want to win," Baker said. "In order for us to win, we've got to work harder throughout the week and on Sunday, we've just got to let it loose, do our job, be on the details, and take it one play at a time."
