Theo Mackie

1 week ago | azcentral.com | Theo Mackie

If the Arizona Cardinals reach the playoffs this fall, it will likely start with an ascendant defense. And if their defense makes that anticipated progress, Will Johnson figures to be at the center of it. Johnson, after all, is no normal second-round pick. Widely seen as a top-10 talent, he fell to No. 47 overall because of long-term health concerns. On the field, he’s considered a game-changing presence at outside cornerback.

2 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Theo Mackie

The Arizona Cardinals’ offseason program is complete. A process that began eight weeks ago, before the NFL draft, wrapped up on Thursday, June 12, with the final day of mandatory minicamp. The pads won’t go on until late July, when the Cardinals reconvene after a five-week summer break. But these two months revealed some insight into how the Cardinals could look when their season kicks off on Sept. 7 in New Orleans against the Saints. Who will be the breakout players?

2 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Theo Mackie

The simplest reason to be optimistic about the 2025 Arizona Cardinals is clear. A team that nearly reached the playoffs in 2024 went out and added impact players throughout its defense. Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson, Calais Campbell, Walter Nolen and Will Johnson have game-changing potential at premium positions. All of that is true. But teams don’t only improve through their external additions. For the Cardinals to win a crowded NFC West, they’ll need growth from players already on the roster.

2 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Theo Mackie

As last season wound to a close, Kyler Murray wanted onlookers to understand something about Marvin Harrison Jr.The transition to the NFL, Murray repeatedly said, is not always easy, no matter where a player is drafted. For a while, even Murray didn’t understand everything Harrison was going through — and he has a locker just a few feet away from the young receiver at the Arizona Cardinals’ facility in Tempe. So, Murray wondered, how would anyone at home have understood?

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Theo Mackie

The Arizona Cardinals were back on the practice field June 3 for the second week of organized team offseason activities. This time with more of their key players in tow. Last week, first-round pick Walter Nolen worked with trainers on the side of the field while the rest of the team went through individual and team drills.