NFL offseason grades: Arizona Cardinals get one of highest grades in league

USA Today

11-07-2025

Only one team got a higher offseason grade than the Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals had a strong offseason. They added veteran and young talent, especially defensively. They locked up their most productive offensive player.
According to ESPN's Seth Walder, it was a great offseason. In fact, it was one of the highest-graded offseasons in the NFL.
Walder gave the Cardinals an A-minus.
He liked the four-year deal for outside linebacker Josh Sweat. He liked the addition of defensive lineman Calais Campbell. He liked the contract for backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
He wasn't thrilled that the Cardinals did not re-sign guard Will Hernandez.
However, it is important to note that nobody has signed Hernandez, suggesting that he might not be healthy after he tore his ACL in Week 5. And a return to Arizona is certainly not out of the question, as the Cardinals did not add any sure starter to replace him and did not reassign No. 76, which he has worn throughout his career, despite the fact rookie guard Hayden Conner, their sixth-round draft pick, wore No. 76 all through college.
With the Cardinals' grade, it is important to note that only one team received a higher grade — the Los Angeles Rams, who were the only team to receive an 'A' grade.
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