As he prepares for his second season in the NFL, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton says he is ready to take off in 2025.

Melton told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Thursday that he learned a lot in his rookie season and that he is fully prepared to take the next step in his career.

“Year 1 was everything I wanted to be. It was a learning a process and by the end of the year, I felt like I was full-fledged and that’s exactly how I feel like going into Year 2,” Melton said. “I feel like it’s time to take off this year and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

Melton played in all 17 games last season, registering 51 tackles with five passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Melton added that the team’s offseason moves on defense, including signing Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell and drafting Will Johnson, gives him more confidence that the team is also ready to make a jump in his second season.

Max Melton confident in Cardinals cornerback room

Melton said that he is confident in the Cardinals young cornerback room, which includes third-year corners Garrett Williams and Starling Thomas V and rookie Will Johnson. He added that having other young players at the position will help each other grow.

“There’s something about everybody being young in the room and we’re all chasing that second contract and we’re trying to exceed on the field,” Melton said. “We all know by pushing each other, we’re going to get there and get that championship.”