Arizona Cardinals 2026 Training Camp Preview: A Season of Change

Understanding the 2026 Offseason

The NFL offseason is akin to a new beginning, filled with possibilities, and this year is no different for the Arizona Cardinals. After a dismal 3-14 season, fans have a lot of questions—most prominently, what changes can we expect as training camp approaches?

This season, the structured offseason dates are critical for the Cardinals. With organized team activities (OTAs) already underway, the team is being reviewed through the lens of major offseason additions and losses.

Key Offseason Dates

• Voluntary OTAs: May 18-19, May 21, May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4
• Mandatory Minicamp: June 8-10
• Training Camp: Mid-July
• NFL Hall of Fame Game: Aug. 6

Key Additions

This offseason saw several key acquisitions, aimed at fortifying the team's roster:

• Gardner Minshew, QB
• Tyler Allgeier, RB
• Kendrick Bourne, WR
• Devin Duvernay, WR
• Isaac Seumalo, OG
• Elijah Wilkinson, OG
• Roy Lopez, DT
• Jack Gibbens, LB
• Andrew Wingard, S

Retained Talent

Retention was a strategy as well:

• Zonovan Knight, RB
• Simi Fehoko, WR
• L.J. Collier, DT
• Starling Thomas V, CB

2026 NFL Draft Class

The Cardinals selected new talent during the 2026 NFL Draft, which highlighted their push towards rebuilding:

• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Round 1
• Chase Bisontis, OG, Round 2
• Carson Beck, QB, Round 3
• Kaleb Proctor, DT, Round 4
• Reggie Virgil, WR, Round 5
• Karson Sharar, LB, Round 6
• Jayden Williams, OT, Round 7

Key Losses

Despite new arrivals, the Cardinals faced significant departures that could impact their performance:

• Kyler Murray, QB
• Emari Demercado, RB
• Greg Dortch, WR
• Evan Brown, OG
• Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
• Calais Campbell, DE
• Jalen Thompson, S

Analyzing the Landscape

New head coach Mike LaFleur takes the helm as the team approaches a critical juncture. The Cardinals' struggles to find a franchise quarterback loom large, particularly with projected starting QB Jacoby Brissett holding out for a better deal, a risky maneuver that may backfire considering quarterback depth options.

With sidelined star Kyler Murray on the bench, the job falls on rookie Carson Beck and veteran Gardner Minshew. This makes for intriguing training camp battles. The potential of running back Jeremiyah Love raises hopes—a possible 1,000-yard rookie season alongside fellow newcomer Marvin Harrison Jr. could offer a sliver of optimism for the offense.

Still, the questions linger. The defense, having ranked 27th league-wide last year, struggles to secure a place in a competitive NFC West filled with formidable rivals like the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

Expectations Going Forward

The challenges are great—projecting a ceiling of just three or four wins seems realistic given the landscape. Yet, hope lies in rebuilding efforts and nurturing young talent into promising futures.

For fans of the Arizona Cardinals, this season may feel less about immediate gratification and more about developing the leaders of tomorrow. As we embrace the rebuild, the stakes will be high, but the journey—much like the game—is what truly matters.