Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon after first day of OTAs
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon speaks to the media on the first day of organized team practice in Tempe on May 28, 2025.
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. When asked whether Nolen was out due to a contract issue (he has not yet signed his rookie deal) or due to an injury, head coach Jonathan Gannon replied, “neither,” without expanding.
Regardless, Nolen was back on the field June 3, going through drills with the rest of the defensive linemen. Center Hjalte Froholdt, who was absent last week, also returned to practice. Right tackle Jonah Williams went through drills with the rest of the offensive line after spending last week working with trainers on the side of the field. Williams, who missed the final two games of last season, wore a brace on his right knee.
The Cardinals did have two notable new absences: Defensive tackle Justin Jones and middle linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. Star safety Budda Baker, who was a full participant last week, did sprints on the side with trainers.
Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Josh Sweat, B.J. Ojulari and Bilal Nichols all continued to be absent. The first three are established veterans who signed as free agents in March. The latter two are working back from season-ending injuries suffered last year.
Like last week’s practices, the three sessions on June 3-5 are optional. The Cardinals have three mandatory practices June 10-12 to conclude their offseason program.
Trey McBride hints at offensive changes
A year ago, the Cardinals’ offense proved frustrating at times with its stagnant nature.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing was creative in his usage of personnel groupings, but he did not use much motion, especially during the snap. Marvin Harrison Jr., in particular, was rarely put in motion, in contrast to league-wide trends for top receivers in recent years.
During his news conference on June 3, tight end Trey McBride suggested that could change in 2025.
“The plays they’re putting in, it’s not as fundamental, it’s not as basic,” McBride said. “They’re adding a lot of motions and a lot of sauce is what I call it. Just putting a little extra flavor on the same plays that we have, maybe motion guys to it, running different guys in different things.”
The Cardinals’ offensive concepts, McBride said, may look similar. The goal is to get to those concepts in different ways to confuse the picture for opposing defenses.
“This offense can be very complex,” McBride said. “And the way that Drew and these guys have changed throughout the offseason and continued to build it, it’s been a lot of fun and I’m excited to see us in action here.”
Rookies impressing with maturity
When defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was asked for his first impressions of Nolen, he did not highlight the rookie’s explosive athleticism. Rallis knew what that would look like from Nolen’s college tape.
Instead, Rallis pointed to Nolen’s preparedness — an area in which he had been criticized during the pre-draft process.
“He’s very coachable,” Rallis said. “Great to work with. You see him take those coaching points immediately to the field, whether that’s in individual or when we’re going against the offense. I can tell he studies hard outside of the building because he’s got things down pretty fast.”
Rallis offered a similar review of the Cardinals’ second-round pick, cornerback Will Johnson.
“Man, a lot of things (have stood out),” Rallis said. “Work ethic, one. Talent, two. Intelligence, three. Pretty simple. But yeah, he’s been phenomenal to work with.”
Like Nolen, Johnson has not yet signed his rookie contract. However, he has been a full participant in individual and team drills during all practice sessions open to reporters.
Before finishing his thought on Johnson, Rallis made sure to highlight another rookie cornerback: Fifth-round pick Denzel Burke.
“Denzel is in my office at 5 something (in the morning), asking for cups of coffee,” Rallis said. “They’re serious, serious pros, and they’ve put in a tremendous amount of work so far, and they’re gonna keep doing it.”