Working our means via previewing the Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule, it’s time to have a look at the Arizona Cardinals. Beginning with the Baltimore Ravens, who the Cowboys will play internationally in Brazil, and transferring on to the Cardinals is far more than only a hen to hen transition (leaving the Seahawks and Eagles nonetheless ready). It is usually one other matchup the place second-year Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer will probably be pitted in opposition to a 2026 first-year head coach, like Jesse Minter for Baltimore. That coach will probably be Mike LaFleur, trying to proceed the Cardinals’ robust current success in opposition to the Cowboys.
The Cardinals have a franchise-long 36-56-1 document in opposition to the Cowboys, however they’ve gained 4 straight on this collection courting again to 2020 and eight of 9 going farther again to 2008. The final Cowboys win in opposition to the Cardinals was week three of 2017 in Arizona, which means they’ll be in search of their first win in opposition to them in Arlington since a 2005 recreation that includes Drew Bledsoe versus Josh McCown at quarterback.
Getting a shot on the Cardinals for a second 12 months in a row after the 2025 protection was embarrassed by Jacoby Brissett in every week 9 Monday Evening Soccer assembly will probably be an essential measuring stick for Christian Parker’s protection. This new protection must have solutions to outdated faces within the Cardinals lineup like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride who each caught touchdowns from Brissett on this recreation final 12 months, but additionally third general decide Jeremiyah Love at working again.
What the Cowboys can show in opposition to the Cardinals in 2026, runs a lot deeper than only a tightened up protection although. As ridiculous because it feels to say about enjoying in opposition to a staff that simply picked within the high 5 for the second time in three years, ending the dropping streak to the Cardinals may also be a check of the tradition Schottenheimer has put in place. They are going to be a staff determined to point out they’ve the aggressive edge to match the uncooked expertise on the roster in opposition to a staff the place proficient rosters have gone to waste numerous occasions in current historical past.
Let’s take a better have a look at the Cardinals staff that will probably be making the journey to Jerryworld for the second time in as many seasons, the primary occasion of this taking place for the Cardinals enjoying on the Cowboys since 2000-01, when each groups have been within the NFC East.
(Photograph by Perry Knotts/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Cardinals Key Free Agent Signings/Departures
* DEPARTED IN FREE AGENCY
SAF Jalen Thompson (Cowboys)
The Cardinals are within the midst of a severe offensive line rebuild, paired with one more quarterback change with Kyler Murray now in Minnesota. Seumalo, Pryor, and Wilkinson all venture as potential new starters introduced in to hitch second-round decide Chase Bisontis and kind the road the Cardinals can construct round Jeremiyah Love at working again. The Cardinals drew numerous skepticism for utilizing this third general decide on Love, however gained’t should look any additional than Cowboys followers on the subject of underestimating the rapid impression a dynamic again behind a proficient offensive line could make. The Cardinals additionally including an skilled again like Allgeier to pair with Love, whereas additionally having James Conner, Trey Benson, and Bam Knight nonetheless rostered, offers them a formidable quantity of choices and flexibility out of the backfield.
Within the secondary, the Cardinals maintained depth with Will Johnson, Budda Baker, and Sean Murphy-Bunting, however will play in opposition to their former security Jalen Thompson now with the Cowboys after they come to AT&T Stadium.
Having a solution at quarterback must be a part of this equation for Arizona although, and proper now their depth chart at crucial place within the recreation is unclear. Brissett continues to be in place after beginning 12 video games final season, Minshew is one other veteran choice with beginning expertise, and the staff drafted Carson Beck out of Miami with the primary decide of the third spherical – which brings us to the remainder of the Cardinals draft.
(Photograph by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Cardinals 2026 Draft Class
Spherical 1, Choose 3: RB Jeremiyah LoveRound 2, Choose 2 (34 General): OL Chase BisontisRound 3, Choose 1 (sixty fifth General): QB Carson BeckRound 4, Choose 4 (104 General): DT Kaleb ProctorRound 5, Choose 3 (143 General): WR Reggie VirgilRound 6, Choose 2 (183 General): LB Karson ShararRound 7, Choose 1 (217 General): OT Jayden Williams
The Cardinals draft class for his or her fourth new head coach since 2018 tells a little bit of a conflicting story. Taking a working again within the high 5 broadcasts a way of urgency to the remainder of the league, however in a division with the reigning Tremendous Bowl champion Seahawks and two different playoff groups from a 12 months in the past within the Rams and 49ers, this sign is probably not absolutely obtained by the Cardinals rivals simply but. The remainder of their draft class is an indicator of this too, as they went for prospects with decrease flooring however doubtlessly excessive athletic ceilings, and probably discovered a QB of the longer term however not the current with Beck.
Arizona did hold continuity on the defensive teaching employees with Nick Rallis returning as coordinator, so touchdown Kaleb Proctor exterior of the highest 100 and a dependable Iowa linebacker in Sharar within the sixth spherical is stable work for a entrance seven that was pushed round an excessive amount of in 2025, however ought to be capable to play quicker and extra bodily in 2026.
What different teaching employees modifications have the Cardinals made this offseason? Let’s have a look at that subsequent.
Cardinals 2026 Teaching Adjustments
* New to employees this season:
Offensive Coordinator Nate HackettRunning Backs Matt MerrittWide Receivers Tony SorrentinoDefensive Line Pete KwiatkowskiCornerbacks Zac EtheridgeInside Linebackers Rod WilsonSpecial Groups Coordinator Michael Ghobrial
The Cardinals being behind the curve on tendencies in fashionable soccer could not come as surprising or something too new. In spite of everything, they personal the document for fewest playoff appearances relative to years in existence of any skilled sports activities franchise within the US. With that mentioned, they’ve gone to the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan teaching tree for 2026, hiring a close to NFC West lifer in Mike LaFleur.
LaFleur bought his begin within the NFL with the Browns whereas Kyle Shanahan was offensive coordinator there, then adopted Shanahan to each the Falcons and the 49ers, was briefly with the Jets, after which ended up out West once more with McVay and the Rams. This division within the final a number of years has been identified for coaches and gamers that know one another extremely properly, giving the interdivisional video games one thing of a faculty rivalry really feel. Although the Cardinals but once more have the latest head coach of this group, they’ll have a good case that LaFleur retains them aggressive on this space.
(Photograph by Chris Coduto/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Across the offensive-minded LaFleur is extra veteran expertise at OC and QB coach with Nate Hackett and Matt Schaub. The Cardinals additionally retained defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, however do have new place coaches on all three ranges of his protection, in addition to a brand new particular groups coordinator.
How the Cowboys protection stacks up in opposition to these Shanahan model offenses has been a query that’s left this staff wanting actual playoff success numerous occasions throughout postseason appearances below Mike McCarthy and even Jason Garret earlier than that. This query was placed on maintain final 12 months whereas all the Cowboys fanbase was as a substitute asking if the protection may cease the widespread chilly. In contrast to with the Ravens matchup, the Cowboys will see all the different groups from this division in 2026. Contemplating the video games in opposition to the defending champs and the Rams will probably be on the street, the significance of the Cowboys lastly getting within the win column at house in opposition to the Cardinals is heightened this 12 months.
Doing so whereas giving themselves a great check defensively in opposition to LaFleur’s system, stopping Love out of the backfield, and seeing Schottenheimer have success calling performs in opposition to a DC each he and Klayton Adams schemed in opposition to final season would all be good indicators for Dallas. Equally, the Cardinals will probably be this recreation as winnable no matter the place they’re of their debut season below LaFleur. The Cowboys must be prepared going in opposition to certainly one of simply three non-NFC East groups that involves AT&T Stadium in 2026 that didn’t qualify for the playoffs in 2025 – the others being the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Earlier 2026 opponent previews:
