Cardinals debut a revamped defense vs. the Raiders on Aug 2, 2025. See how new additions Josh Sweat & Walter Nolen performed in their first preseason action.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The wait is over, Bird Gang. After an offseason of hype surrounding a massive defensive overhaul, the Arizona Cardinals finally took the field for preseason action against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. While the final score is secondary at this stage, all eyes were on the debut of the new-look defensive front and the young secondary tasked with holding down the back end after a significant injury blow.
We didn't get to the quarterback enough last year, period. The moves we made, the guys we brought in—it's all about changing that narrative and creating chaos.
Saturday offered a double dose of Cardinals football, with the annual Red & White Practice at State Farm Stadium giving way to a preseason matchup with the Raiders. The main attraction at both events was the defense. Fans got their first look at the formidable new defensive line, with free agent acquisitions Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson joining first-round rookie Walter Nolen. In both the scrimmage and the game, the trio showed flashes of the disruptive potential that management banked on this offseason. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon emphasized the importance of integrating these new pieces, highlighting a focus on his aggressive, three-safety scheme designed to confuse offenses and, most importantly, improve on a dismal 2024 pressure rate.
While the defensive line is a source of optimism, the secondary is a major question mark. The team was dealt a tough blow with the confirmation that veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting will miss the entire 2025 season with a knee injury. His absence thrusts rookies Will Johnson and Max Melton into the fire far earlier than anticipated. Gannon acknowledged the challenge, stating the rookies need to step up immediately. Their performance against the Raiders was heavily scrutinized, as they will be counted on to survive a tough NFC West schedule. The pressure is on, and their development is now one of the most critical storylines of the season.
The front office was also busy on Saturday, making a key move to shore up offensive depth. The Cardinals signed wide receiver Nate McCollum, an undrafted free agent, providing another body for the competition in the receiver room. The move corresponds with Quez Watkins being placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season. With Kyler Murray coming off his first fully healthy season since 2020, ensuring he has a deep and reliable group of targets is paramount. McCollum will now get a chance to prove he belongs during the remainder of the preseason.
With the first preseason game in the books and the defensive identity starting to take shape, the questions now shift to consistency. Can the rookies in the secondary hold up for a full season? And can this revamped defense, paired with a full season of Kyler Murray, elevate the Cardinals from a late-season surprise to a genuine playoff contender in the brutal NFC West? The next few weeks will be crucial in finding those answers.
