Arizona Cardinals turned their fortunes around back in 2007

The Arizona Cardinals took a turn for the better back in 2007 when Michael Bidwill was given control of the floundering franchise.

The date was December 30th, 2007, and the Arizona Cardinals had just laid a 48-19 beating on a thoroughly defeated St. Louis Rams squad. It was an impressive victory for the club, and one that would allow the Cards to register their first non-losing campaign in nine years.

Sure, Arizona’s 8-8 finish in ’07 was certainly nothing to write home about. Nevertheless, something was ignited in the team that season that would cast a much more positive vibe around the organization over the next 14 years.

In 2008, the Cardinals would post a 9-7 record and parlay that into the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt and his group’s championship dreams were ultimately crushed, but the Redbirds’ impressive postseason run created fantastic memories for the club’s fan base.

Arizona’s winning ways continued in 2009 when they won the NFC West with a 10-6 record. “Big Red” won a 51-45 shootout over the Green Bay Packers during the playoff’s first round, but were eliminated from the tournament a week later after losing to the New Orleans Saints.

The Cards found success again a few years later, putting together three consecutive double-digit win campaigns (2013-15) under the charismatic Bruce Arians. In 2015, the squad went 13-3 and made it all the way to the NFC Championship game. The result was an embarrassing, 49-15 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Arizona Cardinals become more viable after Michael Bidwill’s 2007 promotion

The franchise’s marked turnaround in ’07 can be directly attributed to one specific factor. During the early part of the year, Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill gave total control of the team to his son, Michael. Under the younger Bidwill’s leadership, Arizona has had just five losing seasons in Michael’s 14 years as the boss.

In the early 2000s, the Cards could’ve been considered the laughingstock of the NFL. From 2000 through 2006, the club compiled an incredibly ugly 35-77 record. The two head coaches during that time, Dave McGinnis and Dennis Green, proved to be totally incompetent.

What the Cardinals need to do now is secure a trip to the playoffs. It’s been six long years since Bidwill’s team has accomplished that feat. Perhaps Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray will be the individuals who get the franchise back on track in 2021.