As the 2025 NFL season draws closer and training camp looms just days away, it’s the perfect time to launch our way-too-early preview series for the New Orleans Saints. In this series, we’ll first look at a few key matchups on the upcoming schedule — not full deep dives, but an early snapshot of what to expect. While we won’t preview every game right now, we’ll focus on the first four or five to give you a head start on what lies ahead. To kick things off, we begin with the Saints’ Week 1 opponent: the Arizona Cardinals.
Introducing the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals looked like a team on the verge of a breakthrough in 2024. However, as often in the Kyler Murray era, early promise eventually gave way to late-season disappointment. Under head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals flashed potential, highlighted by a stunning 24-23 road win over the 49ers and a string of midseason victories over the Chargers, Dolphins, Bears, and Jets. However, that momentum was short-lived. Arizona struggled with consistency after a competitive 34-28 season-opening loss to Buffalo and a dominant 41-10 win over the Rams. Blowout losses to the Commanders and Packers, along with critical defeats to the Seahawks and Vikings down the stretch, ultimately derailed their playoff push.
Despite showing signs of growth, the Cardinals finished third in the NFC West behind the 10-7 Seahawks and division-winning Rams. Gannon enters his third season on a warm seat, and expectations will be high after the front office invested heavily in roster upgrades this offseason. If Arizona can finally find stability and close out games, 2025 could be the year they shed the underachiever label — but history suggests that’s a big “if.”
Offseason Moves
According to Pro Football & Sports Network, the Arizona Cardinals earned a B+ grade for their 2025 offseason — and it’s easy to see why. The front office aggressively strengthened the defense, which was much needed after finishing 27th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric last season. While the Cardinals fielded a top-five offense in 2024 (ranking fifth in Offense+), the defense consistently lagged, giving up big plays and struggling in key moments.
The team signed highly coveted pass rusher Josh Sweat in free agency, fresh off a Super Bowl win and an 8.5-sack season. They also brought back veteran Calais Campbell, who adds leadership and toughness to the locker room. Dalvin Tomlinson was another major addition in the trenches, while the re-signings of LJ Collier, Kelvin Beachum, and Baron Browning added continuity and experience to the roster.
The Cardinals also invested heavily in the draft, selecting Walter Nolen III, a dominant defensive tackle out of Ole Miss, in the first round. They followed that with Will Johnson, a talented cornerback who slid in the draft due to injury concerns but was once projected as a top-10 pick. Other additions include Jordan Burch and linebacker Cody Simon, who brings versatility and range.
Key departures include Kyzir White, a key piece of last year’s defense, and Will Hernandez, still available on the open market. Despite those losses, Arizona’s offseason was geared toward fixing its biggest weakness: the defense. Whether the upgrades translate into wins is the big question, but the talent infusion on that side of the ball is hard to ignore.
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What’s at Stake?
Although it’s only Week 1, this matchup between the Saints and Cardinals carries more weight than a typical season opener. This game offers New Orleans an early litmus test — a chance to see if the offseason adjustments have paid off and whether the team has moved past the inconsistency and defensive lapses that plagued them under former head coach Dennis Allen.
Arizona presents a unique challenge, particularly in areas where the Saints have historically struggled. Quarterback Kyler Murray remains one of the most dynamic dual-threat signal-callers in the league, and mobile quarterbacks have given New Orleans fits in recent years. The Saints will also be tested by tight end Trey McBride, who is coming off a breakout 2024 season with 111 receptions, 1,146 yards, and two touchdowns. New Orleans’ defense had difficulty defending elite tight ends last season, and McBride will be one of the best they’ll face all year.
The Cardinals’ ground game adds another layer of concern. James Conner quietly turned in a 1,094-yard season with eight touchdowns and averaged 4.6 yards per carry in 2024. He brings a veteran presence and punishing running style that could test the Saints’ interior defense early.
Conversely, Arizona’s retooled defense isn’t short on talent. New additions like Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Baron Browning bring toughness and veteran savvy to a unit that underperformed last year. And if rookie cornerback Will Johnson — a projected first-rounder who fell due to injury — is healthy, the Cardinals could boast one of the most improved defenses in the NFC.
This game is also the beginning of a grueling four-game stretch to open the season for the Saints. After Arizona, they’ll face the 49ers, Seahawks, and Bills — three physical, playoff-caliber teams. Starting strong in Week 1 won’t just be about setting a tone; it could be vital to staying afloat in what looks like one of the toughest opening slates in the league.
Most importantly, this game should reveal whether the Kellen Moore era starts with discipline, physicality, and improved execution, or if old habits continue to linger. Missed tackles, lack of offensive rhythm, and mental mistakes were common themes in the previous regime. If the Saints have turned the page, it must start showing here.
So while it’s “only Week 1” on paper, this is more than just an opening kickoff. It’s an early checkpoint that could tell us a lot about the Saints’ trajectory in 2025.
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