From The Nest (#1) – Evaluating the Cardinals’ 2025 Journey Through the Desert

Since 2008, the Arizona Cardinals have made the playoffs only five times. Their last playoff win came in 2015 against the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round. Since then, over the past ten years, they’ve had only one winning season — a 2021 campaign that ended with a Wild Card defeat to the division rival Los Angeles Rams.

It’s been a tough decade for Cardinals fans. From poor quarterback play to inconsistent coaching and questionable roster management, there have been few moments when the Arizona Cardinals organization or fanbase had anything to truly look forward to.

However, in the 2025 offseason, that all seemingly changed — and a small glimmer of hope was restored across the state of Arizona.

A-list, Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt shocked the sports world by placing a $6 million bid to purchase the team, acquiring full ownership from previous owner Michael Bidwill.

The Hollywood superstar sent shockwaves through the league with the unexpected move and immediately made headlines with his promise to “restore happiness for Arizona football fans.”
After a long offseason of discussions with the coaching staff and front office, the team didn’t make many major changes — outside of acquiring pass rusher Josh Sweat through free agency and drafting key prospects Walter Nolen (DT) and Will Johnson (CB). On paper, the team looked similar to last season, but something was different. There was a spark — a sense of renewed culture and belief within the organization. Hope had returned to the desert.

A Fast Start

As the season approached, questions surrounded the franchise. Was new owner Brad Pitt truly in it for the love of the game or just the money? Was second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon the right fit — as Pitt claimed he was? And perhaps most importantly, could Kyler Murray rediscover his elite form after several inconsistent years?

Those questions were quickly answered.

The Cardinals stormed out to a 3–0 start, tied for first in the division with the Seahawks, winning multiple close games against fellow NFC opponents. Their first loss came in a tightly contested battle against those same Seahawks — but it didn’t slow them down. Arizona continued to roll, putting up eye-opening offensive numbers and playing with confidence that hadn’t been seen in years.

By their Week 8 bye, the Cardinals sat at 5–2, two games clear at the top of the division. Murray was on pace for a career year, putting up numbers that rivaled the best in league history — and quickly entering the MVP conversation.

A Season to Remember

Following the bye, the Cardinals faced a tough stretch against multiple playoff-caliber opponents. Despite a few setbacks, they proved resilient, ultimately clinching the NFC West with weeks to spare and securing the No. 2 seed in the conference.

With their playoff spot locked, backups played out the final two regular season games as fans across Arizona celebrated one of the greatest turnarounds in franchise history.

Quarterback Kyler Murray delivered a historic season, finishing with:
6,025 passing yards | 72 passing touchdowns | 28 interceptions | 508 rushing yards | 2 rushing touchdowns | 3 fumbles.

The definition of an MVP.

Although the award ultimately went to Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, fans across the league knew who truly deserved the honor. But in Arizona, individual awards didn’t matter. The focus was on one thing: the playoffs.

The Cardinals were determined to prove they were no fluke — that they belonged among the league’s elite.

Playoff Push

Their playoff run began with a divisional matchup against a familiar foe — the Seattle Seahawks — marking their third meeting of the year. This time, Arizona made a statement, cruising past Seattle and advancing to the Divisional Round.

Awaiting them were the Minnesota Vikings, fresh off an upset over Washington. The matchup turned into a back-and-forth thriller that kept fans on edge until the very end.

Late in the fourth quarter, tied at midfield on a crucial 4th-and-12, Coach Jonathan Gannon made a gutsy call to keep his offense on the field. The decision paid off, leading to a game-winning drive capped by a 50-yard field goal from veteran Matt Prater — sending Arizona to its first NFC Championship Game since 2015.

The state of Arizona erupted.

Falling Short — but Rising Higher

Ultimately, all good things must come to an end.

The Cardinals’ Cinderella run concluded in Philadelphia, where they faced the top-seeded Eagles. From the opening kickoff, nothing seemed to click. The offense — dominant all season — struggled to move the ball, while the defense couldn’t contain Philadelphia’s balanced attack.

The season ended in a blowout loss, as the 11–6, No. 2-seeded Cardinals bowed out one step shy of the Super Bowl.

Yet, despite the disappointment, there was no sadness — only optimism.

For the first time in years, the energy across the organization and fanbase felt right. Hope was restored. The Cardinals had rediscovered their identity — and their swagger.

Looking Ahead

The first year under new owner Brad Pitt was a success in every sense. He helped redefine the culture of Arizona football. The offense shattered records. Kyler Murray had the best year of his career. The young defense flashed promise.

Now, as they look ahead to the offseason, the Cardinals aim to build on their success through smart free-agent signings, another strong draft, and a continued focus on player development.

The 2025 season may have ended short of the ultimate goal — but for the Arizona Cardinals, it marked the beginning of something far greater: a rebirth in the desert.

– From The Nest

* Chat GPT was only used for grammatical correction as English isn't my first language.