The Arizona Cardinals have aggressively added talent to their defense throughout the offseason. Fans and media are focused on the impact of newcomers like Josh Sweat, Walter Nolen, and Will Johnson, and rightfully so. Those players should play huge roles for the Cardinals this season.
The Cardinals' offense, on the other hand, remains relatively untouched. Arizona did very little to improve the offense this offseason. The front office and coaching staff clearly believe that this offense is ready to compete as currently constructed.
The outcome of one offensive position battle could decide whether the Cardinals' offense is elite or disappointing in 2025.
Analyst highlights key position battle for the Arizona Cardinals
Of the Arizona Cardinals' eleven offensive starters from 2024, only one is expected to be different in the upcoming season. The Cardinals let former starting guard Will Hernandez enter free agency, although he is yet to sign with a team. With Hernandez gone, a key position battle has emerged for the Cardinals at right guard.
Bleacher Report recently listed the most important position battle for every NFL team this offseason. For the Cardinals, they chose right guard.
Now, this isn't exactly the kind of position battle that teams want to have. It's not a case of having too many talented players at a position to get them all on the field. Instead, the Cardinals are hoping for someone to step up and become a functional starter.
The leading candidate for the starting job is second-year guard Isaiah Adams. The Cardinals spent a third-round pick on Adams in 2024, and he started five games for them at the end of last season. As expected, he took some time to adjust to the NFL game. Hopefully, he has improved enough over the offseason to be the clear starter come September.
However, Royce Newman could take the job if Adams isn't ready. The Cardinals signed Newman to a cheap contract in free agency, presumably to serve as depth on the interior offensive line. But, if Isaiah Adams shows that he isn't capable of taking on a starting role, Newman could step in front of him.
There's a darkhorse third candidate who isn't currently on the roster. Will Hernandez, who started the majority of the season for the Cardinals in 2024, could return to the team to reclaim his spot. Hernandez is dealing with a lingering issue that limited his availability last season, but the Cardinals could consider him once he's healthy.
As the Bleacher Report analyst says, "The hope here should be that Adams is ready to take a step forward in his second season and the Cardinals will have a solid offensive line."
But the Cardinals have contingency plans should Adams show that he isn't ready.