Michael Wilson is seriously opening up some eyes as Cardinals WR1

TEMPE — Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson has taken over the WR1 reins in a major way recently.

And even that might be an understatement.

After setting an NFL-high mark for single-game receiving yards this year with 185 on 15 catches two weeks ago against San Francisco, Wilson doubled down behind 10 receptions and 118 yards in Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville.

In doing so, he became the second pass catcher all season to put up at least 10 catches and 100 yards in back-to-back games. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is the only other player who can claim that 12 weeks in.

He’s gone from seeing 0.8 yards per route run across the first nine games of the year to 3.2 in the past two. With one more catch and 15 yards, he’ll set new career highs.

But for as much new attention Wilson is garnering amid his current stretch, especially from the fantasy football side of things, there’s nothing astronomically different about the wide receiver’s approach.

Really, it comes down the one thing Wilson has been waiting for as a player.

Cardinals WR Michael Wilson isn’t surprised by his impressive two-game stretch.

For him, it all goes back to preparation, the love of the game and finally getting that WR1 opportunity. pic.twitter.com/sYQao4ceAz

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 24, 2025

“I don’t think I’ve surprised myself at all,” Wilson said Monday. “I think that my whole career I’ve just sort of waited for an opportunity to take on sort of that role where I know I’m going to be getting the ball a lot. I’m not surprised because I’ve done it in practice, through training camp and practice every day and the offseason. I live, breathe and die football. That’s all I think about 24/7 outside of my family.

“I don’t play when it comes to football. This is what I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid. I don’t think I’m surprised by any success because my whole day and my whole year is predicated on what’s going to allow me to perform at a high level. And I think the work is showing.”

Cardinals’ Michael Wilson earning the right for more targets, with or without Marvin Harrison Jr.

Not only is Wilson proving what he and his teammates already knew, the wide receiver is giving head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing concrete evidence that he should be seeing more touches, regardless of who is healthy and who isn’t.

Before his 33 targets the past two games as Arizona’s WR1, he had been well behind both Marvin Harrison Jr. (178) and tight end Trey McBride (256) in the targets department since Harrison came to town last year (109).

The gap between Harrison and Wilson has noticeably shrunk with the latter now sitting at 142 thanks to his expanded role of late.

I’m not saying there needs to be a complete overhaul in the pass-catching pecking order. McBride is the NFL’s top tight end and is only getting better, especially with quarterback Jacoby Brissett under center. It’s too early to punt on Harrison, who needs to find more consistency but is on his way.

That being said, Wilson is more than earning the right for more looks, whether that means moving him up in the progression or deploying him at different spots in the formation.

It’s on the wide receiver to get open and catch the ball. It’s on the coaching staff to put him in the best position to do so.

“Whether it’s in the run or the pass game, when you produce in this league, we’re going to give you more opportunities to continue to do that. That’s our job as coaches.”

Drew Petzing on how Michael Wilson can get those added opportunities upon Marvin Harrison Jr.’s return ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wYLqBSVL8V

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 25, 2025

“Whether it’s in the run game or the pass game, when you produce in this league, we’re going to give you more opportunities to continue to do that,” Petzing said. “I think that’s our job as coaches. I think that’s always got to be the case.”

“Throw it to the guys that are making plays for you,” Gannon added. “Absolutely.”

Wilson’s recent two-game stretch may not just have an impact on the present, either.

With his recent emergence, Arizona may feel inclined to push more chips toward more pressing needs this offseason — offensive line stands out like sore thumb — especially when looking at the NFL Draft.

Wide receiver depth will need to be addressed with Zay Jones, Greg Dortch and Simi Fehoko all free agents after this year, but burning premium draft capital doesn’t have to be an absolute must.

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