Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams talks offseason progress
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams talks offseason progress, what it means to be underrated and what he expects for the upcoming season.
The Arizona Cardinals will hold nine open practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium, starting July 24.Fans attending training camp can look out for surprise guest appearances, obtain autographs from players and bring their children to enjoy the Kids Zone and other activities.
You want football?
Well, good. So do the rest of us. In a few short days, on July 24, the Arizona Cardinals are scheduled to stage the first of nine open practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium, although an extra one, on July 27, is reserved exclusively for season-ticket holders and club seat members.
There is optimism among the faithful that this Cardinals team could show something special in the third year of the rebuild under general manager Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon.
I tend to agree.
We won’t really know until a month or two into the regular season whether this season could bring the first playoff appearance since 2021, just the second in the past 10 seasons, and maybe more than just that.
It all starts Sept. 7 with a trip to New Orleans to face the Saints.
Arizona Cardinals training camp: What to expect
More “friction”
That’s what Gannon told us on at least a couple of occasions late in the offseason when we asked him about this year’s training camp, although he never really elaborated. It’s open to interpretation, but I’m hoping it involves the players bringing the fire, grit and all-out nastiness to every practice.
If this team is serious about winning, there can’t be any room left for soft and easy “Camp Cupcakes.” That isn’t to suggest there should be more fights and skirmishes in camp, but what’s wrong with a little more physicality, passion, intensity and anger? Nothing — so long as nobody gets hurt.
Not a lot of answers
Gannon is a good man with a lot of good ideas, concepts and philosophies, but don’t expect him to come clean when reporters start asking him about obvious injuries that may arise, what players are emerging as unexpected potential starters, who isn’t pulling his weight, or exactly which players are catching the coaching staff’s eyes.
Gannon, I hope, will be more transparent in some of these areas than he and multiple coaches before him have been during training camp. Honesty and clarity help fans get a closer, more informed and personal look inside the inner workings of their favorite franchise during a relatively informal portion of their season. But don’t count on it.
A surprising standout
It usually happens every year across the NFL during training camp. At least one player finds a way to stand out from the crowd and put on a display of greatness that you never saw coming. That’s because, typically, it involves a mid- to late-round draft pick, an undrafted free agent or an unassuming veteran addition who tends to make at least a handful of fantastic plays you just can’t forget.
The Cardinals have always had their share of these types of breakout players in camp, and they are bound to have more this year. A few names to keep in mind include rookies such as inside linebacker Cody Simon, the fourth-round pick from Ohio State; offensive lineman Hayden Conner, a sixth-round pick out of Texas; and new veteran backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who at 32 is entering his 10th NFL season with plenty of talent and tools.
Arizona Cardinals training camp: What to watch
Kyler and Marv
The biggest storyline entering camp is legitimate and can’t be overstated. That’s because the Cardinals and the offense, specifically, will be heavily relying on the connection and chemistry between quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. It was there at times last year during Harrison’s rookie season, which was productive, but not sensational. It needs to be spectacular in 2025.
Murray is in a pivotal situation, and Harrison has bulked up considerably in his quest to make a big jump in Year 2. That’s why, if you’re going to watch anything while attending training camp, focus on Murray and Harrison as much as possible. Study every throw, every route, every play. Your eyes will tell you what you need to know.
Individual drills
To me, a great way to get a bead on who is emerging as a potential starter is by paying close attention to individual drills and identifying which players lead them off. It may change, position by position, but usually the guys who are at the front of the lines in drill work are the ones who are leading the competition.
Everything is unofficial, of course, until the first depth chart is released. And even then, it’s not technically official. But watch the individual drills, jot down some notes and try to predict the starters. It can be a fun experiment, and you can share it with friends. Especially if you’re right more than you’re wrong.
The cornerbacks
This is a position to evaluate individual progress and regression, even on the days when the Cardinals aren’t in full pads. That’s because in various one-on-one situations, it’s often a cornerback against the world. It’s not always true that a corner lives on an island, but it can sometimes feel that way, even in defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ heavy zone scheme.
The Cardinals have 11 cornerbacks under contract, and they are all young (none has more than three years of NFL experience). That should make for some exciting competition. You can get a good idea as to how things will shake out by studying who’s making the plays; not necessarily who’s getting beat, but who might start to look a little lost or a step or two behind.
Arizona Cardinals training camp: Don’t miss this
Surprise guests
A cool and underrated part of attending an NFL training camp is catching a glimpse of some of the many frequent VIPs who show up, something that isn’t always announced to the fans or the news media. The Cardinals, like most franchises, have forever had their share of surprise guests, including former NFL stars, notable athletes from other Arizona-based teams, college coaches, famous media types, various celebrities and politicians.
The interactions between staff and players can be priceless. Make sure you bring those binoculars if you’ve got them, so you don’t miss out.
Autographs
Look, this is relatively easy. The Cardinals always make a select group of players available for signatures for a limited time following practices along the field wall at State Farm Stadium. They’ve also had a policy where another group of players is made readily available inside the stadium at the Gate 1 exit.
Here’s a tip, too: Fans can bring footballs into the stadium for signatures and during breaks in the action on the field in camp, it isn’t uncommon to see players walk over to the railings and sign their names or pose for photos or selfies. That type of access can make NFL training camps well worth your while.
Bring the kids
There is no better way to pass down your passion for football than by bringing your children, regardless of their age, to a free NFL training camp session. Trust me, they won’t forget it, and neither will you. There is always something going on, not only at all points on the field, but in the stands where kids, teenagers, and yes, even adults, can interact with others in their age group.
For the youngsters, there’s also a popular Kids Zone in State Farm’s South Bridge that is always open during practice times. It’s where the kids can hang out with Cardinals mascot Big Red and meet members of the team’s cheerleaders.
Oh, and one more thing
Remember, admission and parking are free. Digital tickets will be required for entry into the stadium for practice, but you can easily acquire those and learn more about the Cardinals’ 2025 training camp fan policies by visiting the team’s website at azcardinals.com.
Enjoy!
Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM).