The Arizona Cardinals are a professional football team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are part of the National Football League (NFL) and play in the NFC West division. With a rich history of well over a century, the Cardinals have had a few generations of fans — and in three different states! Since 2006, their home stadium has been the State Farm Stadium, formerly known as the University of Phoenix Stadium.
The team was founded in 1898 in Chicago, Illinois, and was known as the Morgan Athletic Club before changing its name to the Cardinals in 1901. The Cardinals moved to St. Louis between 1960 and 1987. For a short period (between 1988 and 1993), they became the Phoenix Cardinals, and they’ve been the Arizona Cardinals ever since.
The 2022 Arizona Cardinals season was a roller coaster ride. Key injuries, inconsistent play, and internal drama contributed to the team's downfall: they finished the season with a 4-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended for six games for failing a drug test, while wide receiver Marquise Brown was arrested for speeding.
The season was also marked by the retirement of legendary defensive end J.J. Watt, who had played for the team since the 2021 season. The Cardinals are now facing a rebuilding process.
The Cardinals lost several key players to injuries during the season, including quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and defensive end Chandler Jones.
The Cardinals also struggled with inconsistent play on both sides of the ball. The offense was held to 20 points or fewer in eight games, and the defense allowed 30 points or more in six games.
The Cardinals were plagued by internal drama throughout the season. There were reports of tension between Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, and there was also some controversy surrounding the team's handling of Watt's retirement.
The Arizona Cardinals made several changes in the offseason after a disappointing 4-13 season in 2022.
Here is a list of all the draft picks for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023:
The Arizona Cardinals are entering a new era in 2023, with a new head coach, general manager, and uniforms. The team hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 4-13 season in 2022, which led to the firing of head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim. But, many pundits expect the team to vie for the worst record and top-overall draft pick in the NFL Draft.
The team will face a tough schedule in 2023, ranked as the 11th hardest in the league.
The team has question marks on the roster, especially at quarterback and wide receiver. Kyler Murray is still recovering from a season-ending injury, and DeAndre Hopkins was released in the offseason. On the defensive side, the Cards welcome Jonathan Gannon, who arrives in Glendale with a Super Bowl appearance with the NFC Champion, Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cardinals will need the support of some young new players in 2023, such as second-round pick B.J. Ojulari. The team hopes that a new coaching staff and attitude can help them return to contention in the NFC West.
Here are some things fans can look forward to in the 2023 season:
The Arizona Cardinals were founded in 1898 in Chicago, Illinois. They are the oldest continuously operating professional football team in the United States, originally called the Morgan Athletic Club.
The team was renamed the Racine Cardinals in 1901, became the Chicago Cardinals in 1920, and moved to Missouri as the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960. They eventually moved states again and were ultimately renamed Arizona Cardinals in 1994, after a brief period as the Phoenix Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals home stadium is State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. It has a retractable roof and a natural grass field.
The team’s official colors are Cardinal red, white, and black. The colors have been red and white since the team's inception in 1898; black was added to the color scheme in 1994.
Big Red is the mascot of the Arizona Cardinals. He is a red-crested cardinal with a yellow beak and legs. He wears a red jersey with the number 11 and a white helmet featuring the Cardinals logo.
Big Red was introduced in 1998 as part of the team’s move to Arizona. He was named after the red-crested cardinal, Arizona's state bird.
Jonathan Gannon, the Arizona Cardinals head coach, was hired in February 2023. Gannon was previously an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Arizona Cardinals biggest rivals are the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Seattle Seahawks. They also have a rivalry with the Chicago Bears, the second-oldest team in the NFL, making it the oldest rivalry in the league.
The Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks on the roster are Joshua Dobbs, Clayton Tune, and Kyler Murray.
Some of the Arizona Cardinals most famous players include wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., quarterback Kurt Warner, and offensive tackle Dan Dierdorf.
The Arizona Cardinals have won two NFL championships before the AFL-NFL merger in 1925 and 1947. They have appeared in one Super Bowl in 2008, losing 27-23 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When they were based in Chicago, the Cardinals won the NFL Western Division title in 1947 and 1948. As the St. Louis Cardinals, they won the NFC East division title in 1974 and 1975. As Arizona Cardinals, they’ve won the NFC West in 2008, 2009, and 2015.
The following jersey numbers are retired for the Arizona Cardinals: