Cardinals Seen Finishing 3-14, Landing No. 1 Pick as Odegard Predicts Rallis Firing
Updated
Updated · Heavy.com · Aug 25
Cardinals Seen Finishing 3-14, Landing No. 1 Pick as Odegard Predicts Rallis Firing
1 articles · Updated · Heavy.com · Aug 25
Summary
A 3-14 finish with the No. 1 overall pick is Odegard’s benchmark for Arizona’s 2026 season, with player development—not wins—framed as the main objective.
A defense he expects to be "Swiss cheese" again drives that outlook, and Odegard says the pressure on coordinator Nick Rallis could build quickly enough for him to be gone before November.
Jacoby Brissett is projected to open as starter after getting an extra $10 million, while Carson Beck is expected to get a late-season look once the Cardinals fall out of contention.
Veteran additions on the edge are viewed as pointless for a team projected around 3.5 wins, with Odegard arguing Arizona should preserve cap space and tolerate one more year of defensive holes.
Roster decisions fit that longer view: Gardner Minshew is more likely a trade-deadline asset than a preseason cut, and the club is expected to keep three quarterbacks unless a deal emerges.