The Arizona Cardinals rebuild: implications for matchup planning and the Rams’ outlook

The Arizona Cardinals rebuild sits at a critical crossroads under head coach Jonathan Gannon. Because Gannon owns a 15-35 record, debates about direction and patience intensify. Yet the franchise must weigh Kyler Murray’s health, play style, and long term value when shaping its plan.

Kyler Murray remains central to any evaluation of their rebuild. Under Gannon, Murray has accounted for 13 of Arizona’s 15 wins with a 13-17 record, which complicates simple conclusions. Moreover, injuries and missed targets on last offseason’s defensive spending stalled momentum in 2025. Gannon also lost a key assistant, which hurt the run game and continuity.

As a result, NFC West dynamics change because the Rams and other rivals plan ahead. Projected win totals favor Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, so Arizona faces a steeper climb. Therefore matchup planning must account for scheme shifts, personnel risk, and quarterback availability. This analysis will examine roster construction, game planning, and what the Rams should prepare for in 2026.

Key questions we will address:

• How sustainable is Gannon’s approach given a 15-35 record?
• What does Murray’s availability mean for matchup planning?
• How should the Rams adjust roster choices and play calling?

Related terms included in this piece: Kyler Murray, Jonathan Gannon, NFC West, defense, run game, roster building.

Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals rebuild

Jonathan Gannon’s fingerprints are all over Arizona’s identity, but results lag. He owns a 15-35 record as head coach, and critics rightly question sustainability. However, Gannon has shown conviction in roster construction and defensive philosophy. Because the franchise invested heavily in defense last offseason, expectations rose. Yet injuries and underperformance kept those additions off the field in 2025.

Gannon also influenced draft choices and personnel priorities. Notably, the Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr. over Malik Nabers, a move that reshaped offensive planning. As a result, Arizona prioritized a different receiving profile around Kyler Murray. Meanwhile, roster gaps remained, and the front office failed to fully insulate the running game after losing Klayton Adams to the Dallas Cowboys. The loss weakened blocking schemes and reduced rushing efficiency.

Decision making under Gannon blends risk and conviction. He doubled down on defense, but talent availability proved fragile because many new hires missed time. Therefore the team never developed consistent defensive identity. Moreover, Murray’s health and play style constrained options. Gannon must balance a mobile quarterback, a young top receiver, and an inconsistent offensive line.

For NFC West rivals like the Los Angeles Rams, these choices matter. Sean McVay and his staff will study Arizona’s schematic shifts closely because mismatches could decide divisional games. In short, Gannon shaped the rebuild, but health, missed projections, and staff turnover left the Cardinals in an uneasy transition. Consequently, Phoenix faces a steep climb to match the projected win totals of San Francisco and Seattle, and that reality should inform opponent game planning.

NFC West 2025 projections and key factors

The table below compares projected records and decisive factors for each NFC West team. Use this for quick matchup context and planning.

Matchup planning vs the Arizona Cardinals rebuild

The Arizona Cardinals rebuild changes how the Los Angeles Rams must prepare. Because Jonathan Gannon emphasizes defensive structure, the Rams must adjust route concepts and protection schemes. Kyler Murray remains a game variable because his mobility and play-making alter cover responsibilities. As a result, Los Angeles cannot treat Arizona as a predictable opponent.

First, schematic preparation must account for uncertainty at quarterback. Murray started in 13 of Gannon’s 15 wins, so his availability matters. Therefore film study should focus on rollout plays and designed quarterback runs. Meanwhile the Rams should plan disguised coverages to prevent easy scrambles. In addition, Marvin Harrison Jr. reshapes matchups, so Los Angeles must assign press and bracket techniques in obvious passing situations. See a focused preview for Week 18 preparation at this link for context on late-season implications.

Second, Arizona’s defensive investments complicate game planning. Gannon spent last offseason on defense, but many additions missed time in 2025. Consequently the unit’s tape can mislead because injury-depleted looks differ from intentions. Therefore the Rams must prepare contingencies for both healthy and patched versions of the Cardinals defense. Practically, that means more two minute and tempo work in practice, because tempo can exploit depth limits.

Third, staff changes affect the run game and play-calling balance. Losing Klayton Adams to the Dallas Cowboys hurt Arizona’s blocking cohesion. Thus Los Angeles should test the Cardinals early with heavy run looks and play-action sequences. As Sean McVay often does, the Rams can force Arizona to defend multiple fronts. This tactic reduces Murray’s ability to dictate with his legs.

Finally, plan for divisional realities and parity. “The NFL is a league of parity,” so single-game variance matters. Moreover Gannon expects to return as Arizona’s head coach, which favors continuity in schematic approach. Therefore the Rams must combine intelligence gathering with flexible game plans. In short, prepare for a healthier, more coherent Cardinals and for a team still fragile in personnel depth. Adjustments now will matter in both regular-season and divisional matchups.

CONCLUSION

The Arizona Cardinals rebuild is at once deliberate and precarious. Jonathan Gannon shaped roster identity, but a 15-35 record shows the plan has not yet produced results. Because Kyler Murray remains central, Arizona’s options hinge on his health and play style. Moreover the decision to draft Marvin Harrison Jr. over Malik Nabers changed offensive construction and matchup priorities. Injuries to newly added defensive pieces and the loss of assistant Klayton Adams weakened the run game and continuity.

For the Los Angeles Rams, this rebuild demands nuanced planning. Therefore coaches must prepare for a dual threat quarterback, bracket coverage on Harrison Jr., and contingencies for both healthy and patched Cardinals defenses. As a result, tempo, disguised coverage, and early run tests should feature in matchup scripts. The NFC West context matters because San Francisco and Seattle project stronger finishes.

Rams News LLC provides ongoing coverage and analysis on these developments. Visit our website at Rams News LLC for deeper previews and tactical breakdowns. Follow our updates on Twitter/X at Rams Updates for real-time commentary and reporting. Rams News LLC remains a focused source for Rams and NFC West news.

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