The Arizona Cardinals are a team that has experienced a variety of highs and lows over the years. As one of the longest-running franchises in the NFL, the team’s journey is filled with impressive seasons, disappointing records, and everything in between. In this blog post, we’ll break down the current Arizona Cardinals standings, review their performance in recent seasons, and look ahead to what’s next for the team.
A Brief Overview of the Arizona Cardinals
Founded in 1898, the Arizona Cardinals are the oldest continuously run professional football team in the United States. The franchise started as the Morgan Athletic Club in Chicago before changing its name and relocating multiple times, eventually settling in Arizona in 1988.
The team’s journey has been a roller coaster ride of underperformance, surprises, and attempts to find consistent success. They’ve won two NFL championships (in 1925 and 1947) but haven’t claimed a Super Bowl title yet. Despite the lack of recent championships, the Cardinals have had moments of greatness, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2009.
Current Arizona Cardinals Standings (2025 Season)
Record Overview
As of the 2025 season, the Arizona Cardinals are continuing their efforts to rebuild under new leadership and youth-focused strategy. The team, under Head Coach Jonathan Gannon, has taken steps to revitalize their roster and shift the direction of the franchise.
For the 2025 season, the Cardinals’ standing within the NFC West is a mix of development and rebuilding, with the team striving for improvement but facing stiff competition in their division. As of Week 12, the Cardinals are sitting near the bottom of the NFC West standings. Here’s a breakdown of their current performance:
| Category | Record |
| Overall Record | 2-10 |
| Division Standing | Last in the NFC West |
| Home Record | 1-5 |
| Away Record | 1-5 |
NFC West Competition
The NFC West division has traditionally been one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams consistently being playoff contenders. The Cardinals have struggled to keep up with the dominant teams in this division, particularly with their rebuilding efforts.
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have been a powerhouse in recent seasons, with a strong defense and a dynamic offense led by quarterback Brock Purdy.
Seattle Seahawks: Under Head Coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks remain a strong contender in the NFC, with quarterback Geno Smith continuing to defy expectations.
Los Angeles Rams: Despite some injury setbacks, the Rams, led by Matthew Stafford, have shown resilience and the ability to make an impact in the postseason.
In contrast, the Cardinals have been focused on rebuilding their roster and adjusting to new coaching staff, making their road to the top of the division a challenging one.
Team Performance Breakdown
Offense
On offense, the Cardinals are in the process of developing a younger and more dynamic roster. With quarterback Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL injury, the team has had to rely on backup quarterbacks to step in. Murray’s recovery has been a major talking point throughout the 2025 season as the Cardinals look for stability under center.
Key Players:
Kyler Murray (QB): Murray’s potential to lead the offense has always been a major talking point, but his injury and recovery have significantly affected the team’s performance. He’s expected to make a return to the field later in the season, which could have a positive impact on the team’s offense.
James Conner (RB): The veteran running back has been a bright spot for the Cardinals, providing consistency and leadership in the backfield.
Marquise Brown (WR): Known for his speed and playmaking ability, Brown has been a key asset to the receiving corps, although he has yet to reach his full potential as a go-to wide receiver.
Defense
Defensively, the Cardinals have made strides in their efforts to shore up their defensive line and secondary. Arizona’s defense has been a point of concern in recent years, but under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, there has been improvement, particularly in their run defense and pass rush.
Key Players:
J.J. Watt (DE): Although Watt has since retired, his leadership and impact on the defensive line were significant during his time with the Cardinals. His departure leaves a gap that the Cardinals are attempting to fill with younger players.
Zaven Collins (LB): The young linebacker has been developing into a strong presence in the middle of the defense and has shown promise in his second season.
Budda Baker (S): Baker remains one of the top safeties in the league, providing both leadership and exceptional coverage skills.
The defense is still in the early stages of rebuilding, and while they have pieces in place, the unit’s overall consistency has been a challenge.
Special Teams
The Cardinals have had a solid special teams unit, with kicker Matt Prater providing consistency on field goals and extra points. The punt and kick return units have been less reliable, however, and improvements are needed in this area.
Coaching Changes and Leadership
The biggest change for the Arizona Cardinals in recent years has been the hiring of Jonathan Gannon as head coach. Gannon, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, took over the reins of the team in 2023, following a season of struggles under previous head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Gannon’s leadership and vision for the future of the team revolve around creating a disciplined and well-coached squad that can compete in the highly competitive NFC West. The team has focused on developing young talent, with a particular emphasis on building a strong defense and offense to complement each other.
While the 2025 season has been tough for the Cardinals, Gannon’s leadership is seen as a key factor in the long-term success of the franchise. The focus on rebuilding and improving the team’s culture is expected to pay dividends in the coming seasons.
Arizona Cardinals’ Recent Performance in the NFC West
The Arizona Cardinals have struggled to remain competitive in the NFC West in recent years. Let’s take a look at how they’ve fared over the past few seasons.
2023 Season: The Cardinals finished last in the NFC West with a 4-13 record. It was a disappointing season that saw the team cycle through multiple quarterbacks and struggle to find consistency. The defense also showed holes, and the team’s inability to finish close games was a significant issue.
2022 Season: Arizona finished with a 4-13 record again, landing them in last place in the division. The firing of head coach Kliff Kingsbury after the season signaled a shift toward rebuilding, and the 2022 season was one of missed opportunities. Murray’s injury in December hurt the offense, and defensive struggles continued to plague the team.
2021 Season: The Cardinals showed promise with a strong 11-6 record, finishing second in the NFC West. They made the playoffs but were eliminated in the Wild Card round by the Los Angeles Rams. The 2021 season was one of the most successful for the Cardinals in recent memory, but it still ended in disappointment with an early playoff exit.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Arizona Cardinals
Despite the struggles of the current season, there is optimism around the Arizona Cardinals. With a new coaching staff, a promising young quarterback in Kyler Murray, and key players like Budda Baker and Marquise Brown, the foundation is being laid for a more competitive future.
The team’s main focus for the future will be:
Quarterback Play: Kyler Murray’s recovery and performance will be crucial to the team’s success in the years ahead. If he can return to his Pro Bowl form, it will elevate the entire offense.
Building Through the Draft: With a young team and the potential for high draft picks, the Cardinals will continue to build through the draft, focusing on adding playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Improving the Defense: While there has been progress, the defense still needs to improve in key areas, particularly in terms of generating pressure on the quarterback and limiting explosive plays.
Consistency and Culture: Head coach Jonathan Gannon will aim to establish a winning culture that prioritizes discipline, toughness, and a team-first mentality.
Conclusion
The Arizona Cardinals may be going through a challenging period, but their focus on rebuilding and long-term growth offers hope for the future. While the 2025 season has been tough, the leadership of Jonathan Gannon, the return of Kyler Murray, and the development of young talent provide a foundation for success in the coming years. Competing in the highly competitive NFC West will not be easy, but with smart draft choices, continued player development, and a commitment to improvement, the Cardinals have the potential to rise again. Fans will need to remain patient as the team works toward sustained success, but the vision for a stronger Arizona Cardinals franchise is clear.
FAQs
1. What is the Arizona Cardinals’ current record for the 2025 season?
As of Week 12 of the 2025 season, the Arizona Cardinals have a record of 2-10 and are currently in last place in the NFC West.
2. Who is the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals?
Jonathan Gannon is the current head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. He took over in 2023 with the goal of rebuilding the team into a competitive force.
3. When will Kyler Murray return from injury?
Kyler Murray has been recovering from a torn ACL, and while he is expected to return later in the 2025 season, the team is closely monitoring his progress to ensure a full recovery.
4. How have the Arizona Cardinals performed in recent seasons?
The Cardinals have struggled in recent years, finishing with a 4-13 record in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Their last playoff appearance was in 2021 when they finished with an 11-6 record but were eliminated in the Wild Card round.
5. What are the Cardinals’ biggest areas of improvement?
The team is focusing on improving its quarterback play, strengthening the defense, and continuing to build through the NFL Draft to secure playmakers on both sides of the ball.
6. How does the Cardinals’ performance compare to other NFC West teams?
The Cardinals have faced stiff competition in the NFC West from teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams. While those teams have remained playoff contenders, Arizona is in the process of rebuilding to become more competitive in the future.
7. What can Cardinals fans expect moving forward?
Fans can expect continued rebuilding efforts, with a focus on developing young talent and improving team consistency. While short-term struggles may continue, the long-term vision is to establish the Cardinals as a playoff-caliber team once again.