logo
Arizona Cardinals named one of NFL's most interesting teams in 2025

Arizona Cardinals named one of NFL's most interesting teams in 2025

USA Today17 hours ago

Bleacher Report named the eight most interesting teams in the NFL. See where the Cardinals are ranked.
The Arizona Cardinals want to be relevant in 2025. They led the NFL West last season after 10 weeks but lost five of their final seven games. They made big moves on defense in the offseason.
Now they hope to get over the hump and make the postseason.
It should make for an interesting season, and Bleacher report agrees. Naming the eight most interesting teams in the NFL entering this season, the Cardinals come in at No. 5.
Arizona Cardinals 5th most interesting team in 2025
The Cardinals doubled their win total from four in 2023 to eight in 2024 before continuing their rebuild with the addition of several potential immediate-impact defenders, including key draft picks Walter Nolen III and Will Johnson.
Meanwhile, on offense, they're praying that veteran quarterback Kyler Murray stays healthy and takes another big step forward with shiny sophomore receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and revelation tight end Trey McBride.
This team would still likely have its work cut out for it in tougher divisions, but the 49ers are dealing with substantial losses after a disastrous season and the Rams and Seahawks are fringe contenders at best.
Arizona could easily be positioned to make a surprise run at the NFC West crown and could even be a potential playoff spoiler.
And at the very least, I'd expect to see plenty of fireworks in Cards games in 2025.
Here's how I see it. They were a "good" bad team in 2023 and won four games. They were the definition of mediocre last season, losing to playoff teams and beating almost everyone they faced who didn't make the postseason. They won eight games and had a bad defense and pretty good offense, albeit inconsistent.
Their talent on defense is significantly better and the offense should continue to be good.
If the defense is better (it will be), they will win more games. And they could have made the playoffs last year.
The Cardinals will certainly be an interesting team to watch in 2025.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Micah Parsons Turning Heads With Major Act Of Leadership
Micah Parsons Turning Heads With Major Act Of Leadership

Yahoo

time14 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Micah Parsons Turning Heads With Major Act Of Leadership

Micah Parsons Turning Heads With Major Act Of Leadership originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO — The wait for the Dallas Cowboys to sign Micah Parsons to a much anticipated contract extension gets longer with each passing day. With the calendar ready to flip into July and training camp only weeks away, the sides are still yet to agree on terms for a new deal. Advertisement This has become the typical practice for the Cowboys evidenced in their dealings with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb on this same item a year ago. Despite this drawn out process, things seem amicable from both sides and Parsons has maintained a presence around the team. Parsons did not participate but made an appearance at mandatory minicamp a few weeks back. Now, he's keeping himself and his teammates active with some work outside the confines of The Star. The Cowboys' defensive star organized workouts on the beach with his peers on the defensive front. Those participating with Parsons included Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas among others. Very clearly, "The Lion's" leadership has resonated around the locker room. Parsons' off-the-field matters have not impacted his presence around the team. Instead, he continues to embrace the challenge of stepping into next season as the unquestioned leader of the defense. Advertisement Parsons has done nothing but produce in his first four seasons and his expected extension with the Cowboys should reflect that. But Year 5 and the remainder of his coming seasons with the franchise will call upon to embrace the transition from being a hungry up-and-comer to a savvy veteran leader. Some may find that difficult for the boisterous Parsons. Activities like this, however, provide tangible proof of his desire to become that figure for the Cowboys. The integration of this into his game will make him an invaluable piece for Dallas through the coming years. But of course, this all stands on the assumption the Cowboys secure the deal from their side and keep him in town long term. There's no reason to believe it won't happen though none can rest easy on this matter until the ink dries to paper. Related: Cowboys Discussed Trey Hendrickson Trade As Bengals 'Landing Spot' Rumor Updated Related: Cowboys Get Incredible Spot In Latest Offensive Power Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.

Shedeur Sanders Projected to Make Colorado History in Mock NFL Career
Shedeur Sanders Projected to Make Colorado History in Mock NFL Career

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Shedeur Sanders Projected to Make Colorado History in Mock NFL Career

Shedeur Sanders Projected to Make Colorado History in Mock NFL Career originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shedeur Sanders has yet to take a real NFL snap, but there are already projections on how his career in the league will end. While DraftKings typically sticks to sports betting, they took a shot at Sanders' future. A few takeaways from the graphic would put him in the conversation as the best Colorado player in NFL history. All of the firsts for a former Buffaloes quarterback, but NFL MVP would be an untouchable honor. DraftKings also predicts he'll be part of the 2046 class to be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If this happens, he'll likely be the second player in CU history to receive football's highest honor. Advertisement Cliff Branch will forever be known as the first former Colorado player to be enshrined in Canton. The three-time Super Bowl winner with the Los Angeles Raiders left his mark on the game. He still holds the record for longest touchdown from scrimmage in NFL history and put the league on notice with his 'Speed Kills' mentality. The receiver from Houston, Texas compiled a 14-year career in the NFL, including wins in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII for the Raiders. A four-time pro bowler, who led the league in receiving in 1974 with 1,092 yards (18.2 Avg.) and 13 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Branch went into the hall posthumously after passing away at the age of 71. There was a time when Raiders owner Al Davis was viewed as a thorn in the NFL's side. Branch believed he was subject to scrutiny by Hall of Fame voters because of the relationship between Davis and the league. Advertisement "I think it's a political thing because a lot of the players are blocked from being in the hall of fame with the Raiders because of Al Davis, Branch told SB Nation's Ralphie Report in 2016. "(He) was the most hated owner because of his lawsuit against the NFL and he won lawsuits against the league. The sportswriters have always had hatred towards Mr. Davis because of his pioneer way and being very successful. You think of all the people that went into the hall of fame and all the times Al Davis presented players from not only the Raiders. I think there's a lot held against Mr. Davis because of his players." Related: Shedeur Sanders retirement being 'forced' by Deion, says Denver reporter Sanders is one of six players to have his jersey number retired by Colorado, including his teammate and Heisman winner, Travis Hunter. If Shedeur can pull off a legendary career in the NFL, there's a chance he'll join Branch to represent CU Football in Canton. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.

Why Deion Sanders Should Move on From Coaching at Colorado
Why Deion Sanders Should Move on From Coaching at Colorado

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Why Deion Sanders Should Move on From Coaching at Colorado

Why Deion Sanders Should Move on From Coaching at Colorado originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Taking on the task of being a head coach of any sport isn't easy. Whether some coaches are willing to admit it or not, pulling double duty takes a toll. The world has watched Deion Sanders enter the coaching ranks in college football and go on a tear. The Hall-of-Famer has recruited players that some coaches had uttered under their breath, "There's no way he's going to be able to get that player to commit to that program," and somehow it happens. Advertisement Travis Hunter flipped from Florida State to Jackson State, which set off a cataclysmic tone with coaches from all over the country who claimed there was some underhanded deal. Because how would Coach Prime be able to relate with today's athletes, right? This was more than NIL money being waved in Hunter's face. He understood the assignment and ended his college career as the first-ever two-way Heisman winner. Before Sanders rode off into the sunset from Jackson State for greener pastures at Colorado, he was able to provide HBCU athletes with an opportunity to showcase their skills and talents in front of 22 NFL teams. All while watching one of his own Jackson State players, James Houston IV, get drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 217th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, many others went undrafted. Keeping the 'Main thing the main thing' has been a common theme for Sanders. Being able to recruit at a high level, carry on constant promotion of his programs and other ventures, and dealing with the health issues he has endured is starting to show. With so much expected from the boosters and donors at Colorado, he has lived up to the hype with tremendous resilience. It's one of the reasons why CU received a $2.5 million signing bonus from the Big 12 during realignment. They understood the value of having Sanders as the face of the conference. Coach Prime's objective is and will continue to be building the Buffs program into a winner. But the duties of being a head coach and a father have been daunting. It will wear down anyone who chooses to take on the task. Advertisement Even though Sanders has been away from the Buffs program, the next wave of athletes are choosing to play for him to finish what they started, which is to win the Big 12 and get into the College Football Playoff. But there's an alternative route with better results. With the changes in NIL guidelines going into effect in days, Colorado athletic director Rick George and CU's Board of Regents need to strongly consider if it's time for Coach Prime to step away from coaching. His heart may be in it, but his health needs to be the biggest priority at this point. Sanders should transfer into the role of CU Football's president of football operations and let him thrive as the head of a newly-created front office. All of the top programs are adopting the NFL model when it comes to handling NIL and day-to-day operations. Why not have Coach Prime at the top? It's where he belongs at this point in his career. Sanders has plenty of talented assistant coaches under him who could take over coaching duties tomorrow, if needed. Let them cook and keep Coach Prime as a decision-making leader who is more beneficial in the business world. This is a no-brainer for Colorado and would prepare him as a potential candidate to take over for George, who previously said he intends to retire from his AD post after his contract expires next year. Advertisement 'We hope that Coach Prime finishes his career here,' George said at a news conference last year. 'We think he can do significant things for us long-term with longevity. For us, and I think Coach would sit here and tell you we're on the same page with where we want this program to go.' Sanders recently signed a five-year, $54 million extension with Colorado. He became the highest-paid coach in the Big 12 conference in the process. But there's bigger potential with Sanders having longevity beyond coaching. This would be similar to the role Barry Alvarez's had at Wisconsin, except with an athletic mastermind in all regards. Related: Top Five-Star Receiver Turns Heads with Reaction to Deion Sanders at OT7 Finals The sidelines will look different for Sanders without his sons (Shilo and Shedeur), Hunter, along with Jimmy Horn and many others working towards their NFL dreams. Coach Prime being able to take the time to himself to prepare for the next chapter should keep the Buffs fans excited. It should also translate into more wins and more players getting the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of playing at the next level through Sanders' preparation, knowledge, and marketing efforts. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store