Offseason moves the Cardinals should be optimistic about

OT Paris Johnson Jr. #70 and TE Trey McBride #85 (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Arizona Cardinals had plenty of action on the team's transactions" page. From the first day of the free agency period to now, the roster has had a ton of turnover.

New head coach Mike LaFleur had a honey-do list of what he needed GM Monti Ossenfort to accomplish. And Ossenfort did a great job bringing in capable bodies and getting rid of the athletes who weren't getting the job done.

RELATED: WHO IS POISED TO BREAKOUT IN 2026?

Admit it: this year's roster has improved over last year's. Admittedly, after losing 14 games, it doesn't take much to make changes and proclaim it's a new conqueror."

If you review all the deletions and additions, the Cardinals fanbase should have some bigger expectations going forward.

Here are three reasons for optimism for 2026:

Getting younger

Quite a few players found their groove once they hit 30-years old. Some even played into their 40s. K Adam Vinatieri was 46 when he called it quits. QB Tom Brady was one year younger. QB/K George Blanda made it to 48 years old and was kicking game-winning field goals. Warren Moon, Jerry Rice, and Vinny Testaverde found success past the 4-0 mark.

A male is at his athletic peak at age 26. And teams want to remain in that range.

The Cardinals have three players who are just 21 years old. 17 roster members are 22 or 23. A dozen are 30+, with five of that number just now 30. The new long snapper, Casey Kreiter, is the senior member of the roster, being 35 years old.

This is a very young ballclub. Some may point to the fact that it makes this squad inexperienced and prone to mistakes. Which is true. Sometimes. The New England Patriots went from 4-13-0 to 13-4-0 in one year, and they are the NFL's youngest team. So, there goes that statement stating youth cannot win games.

This year, the pinnacle is being shined on this new offense that LaFleur has brought over from the Los Angeles Rams. LaFleur is a disciple of the San Francisco 49ers as well. Expect the success that these two clubs have had to become the norm in the desert.

This new offense will feature RB Jeremiyah Love (age 21), TE Tip Reiman (24), WR Devin Duvernay (28), OG Chase Bisontis (22), C Hjalte Froholdt (29), WR Reggie Virgil (22), RB Tyler Allgeier (26), Marv Harrison (23), TE Elijah Higgins (25), OT Paris Johnson (25), TE Trey McBride (26), WR Michael Wilson (26), and rookie QB Carson Beck (23).

The defense has its own story with CB Will Johnson (age 23), LB Jordan Burch (24), DT Walter Nolen (22), CB Denzel Burke (23), LB Cody Simon (24), CB Max Melton (24), LB Baron Browning (27), CB Garrett Williams (25), LB Zaven Collins (27), EDGE Josh Sweat (29), and S Budda Baker (30).

This is a promising young core for not only the upcoming 2026 season, but the foundation for years to come.

Clearing up the QB situation

Not long after LaFleur was hired, the decision was made on what to do with QB Kyler Murray, who had spent a good many games on IR in 2025.

A day to before the Cardinals report, and there is not yet a resolution to Jacoby Brissett's contract situation. AZ and Brissett (who is his own agent) have been actively negotiating for the last several months and agree he's due a raise. No consensus yet on the number. https://t.co/GwHgf03Rlq

- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 21, 2026

During his downtime, backup Jacoby Brissett took over, and the offense came alive. WR Michael Wilson and TE Trey McBride had tremendous seasons despite both starting running backs being out and a very suspect offensive line effort.

Yes, Brissett only won one game, but in seven games, Arizona was winning late in the fourth quarter, and somehow the defense managed to allow the other team to take victory away.

he's representing himself and still dragging this out? either he knows his number or he doesn't

- Sofie (@sophie_mae947) July 21, 2026

LaFleur didn't want the distraction of a QB battle, and the decision was made to cut bait with Murray. Then, the head coach announced that Brissett was his starter going forward. Unfortunately, Brissett has since held out of team activities, wanting his contract to be restructured with more years added and his salary elevated.

"It's fun to play football."

Gardner Minshew doesn't know how much he'll play QB for the #AZCardinals, but he's working to find out.https://t.co/wN0ypxugcT

- Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) May 27, 2026

So, now instead of Murray vs. Brissett for the starting nod, it just could become Gardner Minshew or rookie Carson Beck vs. Brissett instead. Which either should become a lot less fireworks.

The hiring of OC Nathaniel Hackett

It has been established that LaFleur is an offensive-minded head coach. He was previously the OC with the Rams, who had a very successful offensive showing. LaFleur came off the coaching tree of both Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. The Cardinals will follow this trail.

The Cardinals are hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, sources tell The Insiders.

Hackett, 46, was the offensive coordinator for three seasons under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. Now, he teams up with Mike LaFleur in Arizona. pic.twitter.com/y0yM9gUltQ

- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 4, 2026

Despite being the offensive coordinator, LaFleur did not call plays in LA - McVay did. LaFleur did call plays for one game in 2025 when McVay was out sick.

Coming to Arizona, LaFleur has stated that he will become the Cardinals' play caller. But he had to reach out to somebody who had experience at the NFL level as his offensive confidant. And that somebody had to be a coach that LaFleur knew and could instantly trust.

A lot of head coaches call plays for either their offense or defense, and that's fine. In fact, it is quite remarkable. With as much that is going on in a game, it is enough to keep tabs on the comings and goings of a live contest, much less have the added duties of calling plays. But some head coaches, such as Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs, do.

Hackett was the OC for LaFleur's brother Matt with the Green Bay Packers from 2019 to 2021. During those years, Green Bay's offense was ranked: #15 (2019), #1 (2020), and #10 (2021).

The hiring is legit. Hackett's has called plays before, so that is always an option and a fallback. Plus, his history doesn't suggest a power running team approach but rather is geared towards a lot of tight end usage, which is right up LaFleur's way of thinking. At least Hackett has been there.

#Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur on hiring Nathaniel Hackett as his Offensive Coordinator:

He's been very successful and is very highly thought of, especially in our profession. I wanted him and nobody else. And he's here."

( @PHNX_Cardinals)pic.twitter.com/ZLhqn2FlRw

- Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 18, 2026

LaFleur came out and stated that his only choice for OC was Hackett. This means that as LaFleur is making his way and grooming the offense, he has talent already in the offensive room with Hackett at the ready for advice with a bevy of experience.

Hackett has involvement with play calling, but LaFleur has stated that he will be Arizona's play caller going forward. It is a job that he has had in the past, and he has stated he really enjoys that aspect of coaching.