The Arizona Cardinals‘ preseason has come to a close, following their explosive 42-38 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Arizona wraps up their four-game preseason 1-3, but the intrigue provided by head coach Mike LaFleur’s offense arguably did enough to overshadow a win-loss column that will be erased to 0-0 on September 13.

But for now, we’ll have two weeks to reflect on what the Cardinals showed the football world this August.

Cardinals lose shootout to Packers

Once again, it was Arizona’s offense that stole the show. Even without any semblance of starters (or even second stringers) on the field, the ball moved up and down the field efficiently and explosively.

Gardner Minshew took the first handful of drives and completed seven of his nine passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Kedon Slovis entered in long relief and tossed 223 yards and a touchdown of his own — but two ill-timed interceptions.

Still, Arizona’s passers combined for 326 yards and two touchdowns, with chunk plays of 41, 33 and 22.

The run game remained steady. The Cardinals averaged 5.2 yards per carry with two touchdowns in a 166-yard night on the ground. Arizona dominated time of possession by 15 minutes, converted nine of 15 third down attempts and racked up eight yards shy of 500 in total offense. Mike LaFleur’s system can produce.

The defense, however, did what it has unfortunately done all preseason: give up points and big plays. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ side of the football allowed Green Bay to pick up chunk plays of 36 and 28 through the air, as Packers QB Kyle McCord tossed four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Arizona allowed 18 points in the fourth quarter to blow an 11-point lead with five minutes to play. Granted, some of that was due to penalties and turnovers, but it was another discouraging look for the least-anticipated aspect of this Cardinals team.

Cardinals who raised their stock in final preseason game

As is customary, the end of the preseason offers many roster hopefuls a last audition for the final 53. Here are some of Arizona’s top performers who made their case:

WR Simi Fehoko picked up 94 yards and two touchdowns including a 41-yard explosion. He’s had a nose for the end zone all preseason in a somewhat loaded wideout room.

Similarly, WR Jalen Brooks had 57 yards on four receptions. He has been neck-and-neck with Fehoko for that coveted spot on the roster.

RB Evan Hull is more than a long shot to make the roster. Arizona’s RB room is, perhaps, the most crowded, and he’ll likely be forced to stick on the practice squad. But 107 yards on the ground, two touchdowns and a big gain of 41 is more than enough to stand out to the Cardinals’ coaching staff.

On the defensive side of the ball, LB BJ Ojulari had the game he desperately needed, picking up a sack and a half, plus four total tackles.

But his fellow passrusher, Eku Leota, was partially responsible for that success. Leota looked sharp again, taking the other half of Ojulari’s second sack. He’s had a strong preseason in a pass rush group that has mostly lacked any amount of true production.

Meanwhile, CB Elijah Jones and rookie LB Karson Sharar shared the team lead in tackles with five apiece. It was an otherwise-quiet night from most of Arizona’s defensive playmakers.

2026 outlook after Cardinals’ 1-3 preseason

It’s nothing new by this point. The Cardinals are poised to have an exciting, productive offense this season.

Watching LaFleur’s scheme, even with Slovis and practice-squad personnel on the field, has been a vastly more enjoyable product to watch than the majority of what transpired between 2023 and 2025. There’s a rhythm to it that feels refreshing — a smoothness to the execution and an effortless feel that makes it look like just about anyone could operate under center.

Arizona is going to need that, and Cardinals fans deserve to watch that on Sundays. With Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and a loaded group of backs, this could be one of the more exciting products in the NFL.

Unfortunately, that’s only half the battle of winning football games.

Arizona’s defense gave up a franchise-record 488 points last season. They did not make wholesale changes to the personnel or the coaching staff. Perhaps better health can help alleviate some of those issues, and the players on the field in Friday’s game may not be the ones suiting up every Sunday.

But Arizona better hope they can win shootouts consistently. If they’re not stacking 30-plus points on a regular basis, there’s not much hope they can pull out those gritty, low-scoring contests.

And now — we wait.