TEMPE — If you weren’t already checked out from the Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 campaign, their recent elimination from playoff contention likely has you reaching for the remote or sledgehammer.

But before you switch over to a very fun Phoenix Suns squad or take out your frustrations on the TV after another losing Cardinals season, there’s still a few things to keep a pulse on when it comes to the final five games of the year.

Something to build on?

Let’s get right to it: The Cardinals are now in full evaluation mode with no playoffs in sight.

That means five games of seeing what exactly this franchise currently has on the roster and where it needs some serious upgrades.

The wins may be few and far between the rest of the way, but the Cardinals need something positive to build off of heading into an offseason that is going to be far from quiet.

Does this team have the right mix of coaches to take the next step? Failing to execute the little details mixed with questionable play-calling in multiple close games may answer that question all by itself.

And where exactly do the changes start? Moving on from quarterback Kyler Murray and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing feel like starting points, save for a miraculous turnaround. I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if there’s a new offensive line coach, either.

But if the losses continue to pile up in embarrassing fashion, the buck might not stop there.

I ultimately think Gannon gets another year to prove he’s the right guy, but this recent fall from grace and failed expectations seriously make you wonder how much more leash he has in Arizona.

Career years in progress

At the end of the day, it’s all about getting W’s in the NFL. They’re the ultimate currency of the NFL.

But while those have been scarce in Arizona this year, that shouldn’t completely take away from what some of the Cardinals’ top playmakers are doing in 2025.

I’ve already touched on tight end Trey McBride, who continues to set new NFL records and is closing in on more.

After surpassing Jimmy Graham (301) for the most receptions by a tight end across their first four seasons in the NFL last week, McBride (309) is closing in on another top mark.

With at least five more catches in each of the next two games, McBride (14) will take over the top spot held by Travis Kelce (15) for the most such games consecutively by a tight end in NFL history.

McBride already holds the franchise record after passing Larry Fitzgerald (13) last week. He’s also pacing the NFL in catches with 88 and has already set a career mark for touchdowns with eight.

But for all the accolades he’s picking up along the way, including being the top Pro Bowl vote-getter for tight ends in Monday’s release, McBride could really care less.

For him, it goes back to the biggest stat in the game: Wins.

“I’m just kind of going through it, trying to do my job at the best of my ability, trying to win some football games,” McBride said Monday. “Honestly, that stuff doesn’t really do it for me. I don’t really care either way. I think it’s great that I’m doing it but I just try to do my job and win football games. That’s what I care about right now.”

There’s no doubt McBride is heading toward Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods this season if this trajectory continues.

He’s not the only one already turning in career years, though.

Pass rusher Josh Sweat may be in his first season with Arizona but already looks at home behind 11 sacks following a pair in Sunday’s loss in Tampa Bay.

He just needs 0.5 more to set a new career mark, surpassing his 2022 effort with Philadelphia. That was also the final year Jonathan Gannon was calling the shots for the Eagles defense as its defensive coordinator.

That familiarity has helped Sweat pick up where he left off under Gannon and Cardinals DC Nick Rallis, who was Philadelphia’s linebackers coach from 2021-22.

Wide receiver Michael Wilson is another name to watch, too.

Already setting career highs in receiving yards (570) and catches (50), much of that thanks to his two-game stretch as Arizona’s WR1, Wilson has turned heads in 2025 to the point where he must continue to see his fair share of targets moving forward.

The return of Marvin Harrison Jr. last week greatly impacted Wilson’s production. The duo, however, each saw seven targets go their way proving there’s enough touches to go around between the two wideouts and McBride.

Speaking of Harrison, the wide receiver has missed two games and change due to injuries and an appendectomy this year but can still reach new heights currently sitting at 40 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns.

Getting back on the field after exiting last week’s loss with a heel injury is imperative but should have enough time to threaten his rookie marks of 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight scores.

“He’s a tremendous player and obviously takes a lot of pressure off me when he’s out there because he can bring some coverages to him,” McBride said. “He’s a heck of an athlete and obviously love playing with him. Hopefully he can get that heel right and be ready to go next week.”

Potential final rides

Calais Campbell made a lot of people happy when he decided to come home to Arizona on a one-year deal.

Unfortunately, the 2025 reunion tour won’t be extended any further with playoffs now out of reach.

That leads to the next question: Is this it for Campbell?

His 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 14 QB hits show no signs of a player slowing down.

But after 18 years in the league, it wouldn’t be a shock by any means if the veteran calls it a career after the season.

If you’re looking to stash any more memories of the big man in the middle, you’ve likely got only five games to do so.

Offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum, who is in Year 14, is another name to watch as his NFL career winds down.

Filling in as both a starter, swing man and even heavy tight end across 87 games (67 starts) in Arizona, Beachum has been a key part of Arizona’s offensive operation since 2020.

On top of his play on the field, Beachum has been a huge figurehead in the Arizona community.

Long snapper Aaron Brewer rounds out the potential retirements on Arizona’s roster.

He’s been around since 2016 and is in his 10th season with the Cardinals.

Youth development

The scope should undoubtedly change the rest of the way, with younger players and those lower on the depth chart getting some added run to close out the year.

That’s already on display with guys like Isaiah Adams and Cody Simon getting starting nods, though injuries have also played a part in their promotions.

It’s about banking reps with guys you plan to have around in the future. Cornerback Denzel Burke and pass rushers BJ Ojulari and Jordan Burch come to mind.

What about Hayden Conner and Josh Fryar getting more looks? It wouldn’t hurt at this rate.

And getting Walter Nolen III back on the field is only going to help his trajectory after already looking like a gamechanger up front in his abbreviated showing this year.

As Gannon has said time and time again, game reps are the best reps to learn from. There should be plenty to go around as Arizona sputters to the finish line of the regular season.

NFL Draft watch

Last, and actually least, is 2026 NFL Draft watch with the Cardinals currently holding the No. 8 overall pick.

It’s one of the worst feelings having to turn the page on a lost season before it’s even over.

But for a team that is barreling toward a top-10 pick thanks to the failures of 2025, it’s going to be in the mix for a true impact player when April rolls around.

And with more losses, which feels very likely given the current state of the team and one of the toughest remaining strength of schedules, the odds of landing said prospect increases.

Get the pens out folks, it’s officially mock draft season, although I bet many of you have already dove in.

And let’s just say, there’s plenty of areas to attack, beginning with offensive line. Getting some extended looks at quarterback prospects wouldn’t hurt, either.