Phase 3 of the Arizona Cardinals’ offseason programs kicked off Wednesday with the start of voluntary organized team activities.
And there’s no shortage of storylines to keep tabs on as players get to work in Tempe.
A look at some of the biggest:
The keyword to Cardinals OTAs
We’re already seeing some of the reports out there of players not participating in their respective team’s OTAs due to contract disputes or what have you.
Bills running back James Cook sitting out of Buffalo’s OTAs as he seeks a new contract is the latest example.
There’s also rookie Shemar Stewart and his holdout ahead of signing his first NFL contract.
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On the Cardinals’ front, seeing key players sit out for reasons other than injury or rest, just doesn’t seem likely given the makeup of the locker room outside of a few long-time vets maybe getting added rest.
That was very much the case on Wednesday, with elder statesmen Kelvin Beachum, Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, plus vets Hjalte Froholdt and Josh Sweat not in attendance.
The word “voluntary” is there for a reason.
“Obviously voluntary. So, some guys are in and out, but I like where it’s at right now,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday. “I will say this, I always ask them — because it is voluntary — I ask them just to communicate with me. Our guys have done an excellent job communicating with me, so that’s good to see.”
There was, however, one notable nonparticipant in first-round pick Walter Nolen III. Despite donning a practice uniform, the rookie worked off to the side with veteran offensive lineman Jonah Williams, who is coming off an injury-riddled season, during the open portion of work.
It’s unclear if he’s working through an injury issue or something else and definitely something to watch during this OTAs period.
Life without SMB
Veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who made 15 starts in 2024, did not take the field alongside his teammates after being placed on the reserve/non-football injured list with a knee injury.
His season ended before it began.
“Happened in the offseason and had to have surgery to get it fixed,” Gannon said Wednesday. “He won’t be able to play this year. It’s a tough break for him, a tough break for us, but we’ll move forward and so will he.”
Now with Murphy-Bunting on the shelf for the year, the attention turns even more on the young talent making up Arizona’s cornerbacks room, specifically along the outside.
Garrett Williams is a lock to resume his trajectory as the Cardinals’ starting nickel. Outside of him, roles are up for grabs.
Second-year pro Max Melton and rookie Will Johnson, whose selection in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft looks even more impactful, are the top names to watch from now through training camp. There’s a very real world where Johnson finds himself in the starting lineup post-training camp if he can get up to speed and check the appropriate boxes.
Undrafted find Starling Thomas V and 2025 fifth-rounder Denzel Burke are also in the mix.
“For the young guys, there’ll be some learning on the job,” Gannon said. “You need reps to learn. I truly believe that and really bad reps to really learn.
“That’s an ongoing process for all our guys, no matter if you play 18 years like (Calais Campbell) to a rookie that’s never played in the NFL before. Everyone’s at different stages in their career, but I feel really good about that room. Feel good about the guys that are coming back and feel really good about the guys that we added.”
Year of the beef
Move over Arby’s, the Cardinals clearly have the beef/meat in 2025, especially when looking at the second-year transformations from wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and defensive lineman Darius Robinson.
Both are looking noticeably bulkier after absolutely getting after it this offseason.
I feel bad for the pad. pic.twitter.com/sBr1Ytg3wf
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 28, 2025
“Just buying into it, realizing like every day I got 24 hours and what am I going to do to make the most out of it,” Robinson said Wednesday. “I feel like I got a lot to prove this year. Like me, Marvin, a bunch of the rookies, a bunch of guys in the building, so we’re just grinding into it.
“It’s been a fun offseason, but we got to keep going and just keep building our bodies, getting stronger, getting faster, getting better. So, I’m super excited.”
As for Harrison, “you should see his hamstrings,” Gannon said.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon on the noticeably bulked up Marvin Harrison Jr.:
“You should see his hamstrings.” ? pic.twitter.com/lwVXAGzc9Q
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 28, 2025
Let the battles begin!
It’s not quite full-on football just yet, but that doesn’t mean the competition hasn’t already started across the board.
Among the biggest positional battles to watch are at inside linebacker and right guard.
Entering the week of work, rookie Cody Simon, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Owen Pappoe should be the main figureheads for the starting role alongside Mack Wilson Sr.
At right guard, second-year pro Isaiah Adams figures to be the man to beat, though could be pressed by Jon Gaines II for the role.
“I think the big thing we talked about is … you’re expected to come in here and go compete at all times,” offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said Wednesday.
“The goal is to be better than you were last year. I think that’s always got to be his mindset. Certainly, that’s what we preached to him going into the offseason and going to be continuing here in the next couple months. He’s been great.”
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