Cardinals’ Isaiah Adams slamming door shut on right guard conversation

Arizona Cardinals OL Isaiah Adams hasn't wasted any time securing the starting right guard spot this training camp.

Aug 1, 2025, 12:30 PM Updated: 4:41 pm

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GLENDALE — Arizona’s starting right guard spot was among the biggest question marks heading into Cardinals training camp.

After limited offensive additions this offseason and opting against bringing back veteran starter Will Hernandez, was it really Isaiah Adams’ job to lose?

Heading into Day 8 of camp, the answer’s an emphatic “yes.”

“Isaiah had a hell of a day (Tuesday), had a hell of a week last week, honestly,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Thursday. “He probably won the day, truthfully, in my mind.

“He was the All-Star of the day, I thought. Just through team periods, through 11-on-11, through individual, he played extremely well.”

While a lot of the focus has been on Arizona’s new defensive weapons and a bulked-up Marvin Harrison Jr., Adams has been among the biggest bright spots along an offensive line that is returning a majority of its starters.

After getting his feet wet with five starts to end the year — he appeared in 100% of the available offensive snaps across that span — moving into a full-time role is the natural next step for Adams.

The Year 2 jump is a very real thing under this current regime, with nickel Garrett Williams and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. making major jumps over the past few years. Adams is trending in that direction.

He’s not getting any free passes, either.

Isaiah Adams vs. Darius Robinson 😤 pic.twitter.com/lizBcBNBaA

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) July 29, 2025

The second day of padded training camp practice served as a solid reminder of that.

“I didn’t feel like an MVP or an All-Star. I just felt like it was one day at a time, but I did see improvements throughout the week and I was happy with that.”

Isaiah Adams didn’t feel like an “All-Star” this past week of camp (despite head coach Jonathan Gannon saying as much) but the Cardinals RG is seeing improvements as the practices roll on. pic.twitter.com/lEOOkMzPxZ

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 1, 2025

On top of getting 1-on-1 reps in against defensive lineman Darius Robinson, who said the O-lineman “strapped” him during their battles, Adams was a consistent standout during 11-on-11s.

His play throughout 11-on-11 red zone work was noticeable (keep your eye on No. 74).

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon called RG Isaiah Adams the “All-Star” of Tuesday’s padded practice.

A good example of why: pic.twitter.com/Won77vqh9N

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 1, 2025

“That’s where I really think Isaiah took the jump last week is we wanted to kind of switch what he was doing — not switch but just give him another tool in pass pro and it looked really good,” Gannon said.

There’s still plenty of camp and preseason play to traverse, but all signs point to Adams securing his role along the interior.

Not only for his ability as a mauler in the middle, but also for his growing voice within the trenches.

“Right now, I’ve had Isaiah and Evan (Brown) out there and it’s just been great,” starting center Hjalte Froholdt said last week. “It’s a continuing dialogue. I think that’s the best trait I like to have in a guard for sure.”

Getting Adams locked in within a line full of continuity is critical to Arizona’s plans as a run-first offense and keeping franchise quarterback Kyler Murray upright. The opening came when last year’s starter, Hernandez, went down with a knee injury. Still a free agent, he was just medically cleared this past week.

Since the current regime came to town, the Cardinals have only gone up the NFL ranks in rushing totals. That trend can’t end if Arizona hopes to earn a playoff spot.

Harrison marks one of the top names that must take a Year 2 leap in 2025. Given the Cardinals’ makeup across the line, Adams is right there with him.

Tyler Drake Cardinals reporter and ArizonaSports.com editor

Born and raised in Kelseyville, California, I spent most of my summers growing up in Arizona. There were a lot of trips to Globe and the East Valley. Once out of high school, I attended the University of Arizona with a major in natural resources… Read more

Comments

Don P 12 months ago

Happy to hear Adams is stepping up, now we just need to upgrade Williams at right tackle and improve our depth on the OL. Would love to bring Hernandez back as backup if he was willing.

AZ Scorp 12 months ago

Just a reminder, that now 4 starters the cards got for passing on will Anderson: PPJ, Garrett Williams, D Rob and Isaiah Adams. The jury is still out on BJO and Elijah Jones. But they both are going to make the final 53.

Foundational trade for Monti.

Bill D 12 months ago

I’ve been super high on the Adams pick since they made it after he dominated the senior bowl. At 6”5-325 w/35in long arms and his rare elite power in the run game and athleticism to pull n get out in front on 2nd level blocks, this kid is going to be a beast of an OG for a long time. Kinda reminds me of Iupati with better pass protection as he moves better and Adams has much lighter feet.
With Adams taking off and exceptional blocking TEs with uber athletic 6”5-270lb TE Tip Reiman becoming an elite pass/run blocker essentially a 6th OL, McBride being a very good blocker when asked, an above avg LG in Evan Brown and top 5-10 level players at LT (Paris Johnson Jr), Center (Hjalte Froholdt) and RT (Jonah Williams) this OL is primed to dominate this year. One thing they should do that makes sense is bring big Will back as insurance, but overall this line will be even better than last years OL which was a top ten ranked line.

Cardinals’ Isaiah Adams slamming door shut on right guard conversation

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