ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals need a bold offseason after faltering in games that mattered most

Jan 5, 2025, 6:05 PM | Updated: 9:05 pm

MARVIN HARRISON...

Arizona Cardinals wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Greg Dortch celebrate during a game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Jan. 5, at State Farm Stadium (Arizona Sports Photo/Felisa Cardenas)

(Arizona Sports Photo/Felisa Cardenas)

Success and progress are not the same thing. Our NFL franchise is Exhibit A.

The 2024 Cardinals made progress, doubling their victory total from the previous season following Sunday’s 47-24 romp over the 49ers. They exceeded expectations on defense; identified a core group of foundational players; and went 6-3 at State Farm Stadium. In the past two years, there has been a significant culture change under the direction of general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon.

But a raucous offensive display in the season finale against a bad football team does not erase the losing record or the memories of a team that shriveled in the season’s defining moments.

Even a third-place finish is more penalty than a reward. By avoiding last place, the Cardinals draw the Packers, Bengals and Cowboys as non-conference opponents in 2025. Meanwhile, the 49ers get a much softer slate (Bears, Browns, Giants).

Success demands more. Success demands better.

Their biggest issue remains at quarterback. Kyler Murray finished his sixth NFL season with a pair of strong performances. He’s played 25 consecutive games since returning from knee surgery. He threw four touchdown passes on Sunday and joined Josh Allen, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton as the only players in NFL history with 19,000+ passing yards and 3,000+ rushing yards in his first six seasons.

That’s an exclusive club.

But he was at his very worst when it mattered the most. Fans have not forgotten or forgiven losses to Geno Smith and Bryce Young or the fastball he threw off Trey McBride’s helmet with the game on the line in Los Angeles. You can trust Murray to play to the end of a lost season, where he compiled 563 passing yards in two games after his team was eliminated. But after all these years on the job, he still glitches under stifling pressure, on the biggest platforms.

There are reasons for optimism moving forward. The NFC West remains wide open. The championship window seems to have closed on the 49ers. The Rams are the newly crowned champions, but Matthew Stafford turns 37 in February. The Seahawks are nothing special.

The NFL offseason is also designed to resuscitate hope in lost markets, and that will surely happen in Arizona. But many Cardinals fans are done with Murray. Some are angry about a spike in ticket prices for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game in nine years. And there’s a new form of competition for them to deal with, a new winner in town.

Following a magical season that ended in the College Football Playoff, Arizona State has sold over 3,100 season tickets in just over 30 days. They sold 300 the day after their epic loss to Texas in the Peach Bowl. The Sun Devils are an exciting alternative for fans who are examining their loyalty and their spending habits.

The Cardinals need bold reinforcements and an infusion of high-end talent. They need to get aggressive in free agency. No more baby steps. They must sign a veteran backup quarterback and have a succession plan should Murray fail to lead a postseason run in 2025.

It’s time to put up or shut up. It’s time to spend big and win big in 2025. Or else.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

50 minutes ago

Chiefs Eagles...

Associated Press

Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl 3-peat with dominant defense in rout

The Chiefs didn't come close to completing their 3-peat, as the Eagles' dominant defense led Philadelphia to a rout and Super Bowl victory.

13 hours ago

Cooper DeJean...

Damon Allred

Eagles stun Chiefs with pick-6, shutout first half in Super Bowl

Cooper DeJean had more yards on his pick-six than Patrick Mahomes had to his own team as the Philadelphia Eagles blitzed the Kansas City Chiefs to a shutout first half.

16 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers...

Associated Press

Jets tell Aaron Rodgers they’re ‘moving on’ from the QB for next season, report says

Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating whether to continue his playing career. If he does, it appears it won’t be with the New York Jets.

18 hours ago

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

23 hours ago

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday...

Associated Press

Eagles’ Super Bowl path paved by prowess of their offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

1 day ago

Cardinals need a bold offseason after faltering in games that mattered most