You really have to dig deep to find positive talking points out of a three-win season, but for the Arizona Cardinals, there are a few aspects of the roster that fans should look forward to seeing carry over in 2026.
For one, the passing game improved mightily under Jacoby Brissett, as the 33-year-old journeyman never succumbed to playing scared. This fearlessness helped players like Trey McBride and Michael Wilson build off solid seasons from the year prior.
As much as there is to love about the potential on offense, there are aspects of defense that not many people have talked about, specifically on the front seven.
The Cardinals didn’t bring in former Super Bowl Champion Josh Sweat for no reason, and he didn’t disappoint, finishing 2025 with a 12.5-sack season. On top of that, Arizona’s first-round pick, Walter Nolen III, built a solid rookie campaign in the limited action he saw. Playing alongside future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Calais Campbell, Nolen is equipped with all the tools necessary to become a star in this league.
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But one signing in particular has flown under the radar, and it could lead to the unit as a whole taking it to the next level. Appearing in all 17 games for the Chicago Bears in 2025, Andrew Billings could be the guy up front who could make a difference. Finishing the season with only a single sack, Billings was able to pave the way for his teammates to get to the opposing quarterback, forcing pressures all over the place.
This is a guy that Cardinals fans should be excited about, and it would not be a surprise if he were to be an opening-week starter come September.
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