Cardinals’ Michael Wilson is in unfamiliar territory this November
Nov 19, 2024, 7:17 PM
TEMPE — Michael Wilson in his second season with the Arizona Cardinals is experiencing something he hasn’t in quite some time:
Playing meaningful games in November.
Throughout most of his college career at Stanford, Wilson saw more losses than wins fill up the record books.
Only once (2018) was he a part of a winning season with the Cardinal. Outside of that 9-4 mark, Stanford won no more than four games in a single season with Wilson on the roster.
Playing meaningful games in November is unfamiliar territory for Arizona Cardinals WR Michael Wilson:
“It’s a breath of fresh air.” #AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/xykptuybng
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 19, 2024
RELATED STORIES
“I keep saying breath of fresh air,” Wilson said Monday. “It’s exciting ball, because when I was in college — 3-9 — I would dream of playing on a team that’s winning and has the opportunity to win a championship, win playoff games and just playing really good football.
“It’s exciting for me. I haven’t had this experience in six years, so I could not be more enthusiastic, excited and just really grateful for the position I am in but also our team is in right now.”
Aside from his team’s record, Wilson is also on his way to a career year up to 307 yards and three touchdowns on 30 catches. He’s already tied his career high for scores and is just eight receptions and 258 yards from doing the same in those respective categories.
That’s not to mention his ability to stay on the field in 2024, having appeared in every game this year. For someone who struggled to stay healthy in college and as a rookie, that’s a significant development.
Not getting too far ahead
But for all the success Wilson and his team are experiencing, he’s not letting that consume his daily operations.
He’s not waking up seeking out playoff projections or the NFC West race.
“I think that’s just the natural wiring of me and I think the makeup of guys we have in the locker room,” Wilson said. “JG does a great job of not painting that picture for us and thinking about the playoffs. It’s just one game at a time, one play at a time, one practice at a time, one meeting at a time type of mindset.”
That’s not to say Wilson hasn’t at least thought about what could potentially be on the horizon given how the Cardinals are playing and their standing atop the NFC West.
“I’d be lying that it doesn’t creep into my head,” Wilson said.
“I think the best mental frame and mental model is to say, ‘I’m not going to pay attention to that.’ You can look at it and envision it. That’s what everyone does. But not allowing that to affect your process and approach is the best way to handle that.”
