GLENDALE — Should they or shouldn’t they?
That’s the yearly question when it comes down to the bulk of Arizona Cardinals starters getting preseason reps.
And with the Hall of Fame game marking the first exhibition of the year on Thursday — plus the Cardinals’ “above the neck” day of installs and low tempo — it’s once again time to answer it.
Yes, they should get preseason action.
Now, before diving any deeper, let’s clarify something: Arizona has played starters in the past under the current regime.
In 2023, Paris Johnson Jr., Hjalte Froholdt and Dennis Gardeck were among those getting exhibition snaps.
Last season, Marvin Harrison Jr., L.J. Collier and Starling Thomas V, among others, did the same.
This year, even more participation should be expected, especially when looking at the main figureheads on the roster.
“I just do whatever I’m told to be honest,” quarterback Kyler Murray said Monday. “I think last year … we were going to play actually and some injuries might have occurred during camp that kind of affected what was going on. But yeah, whatever JG wants us to do, I think we’ll do.”
The benefits of Cardinals starters playing in the preseason
Arizona clearly didn’t have all the rust knocked off when Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills rolled around in 2024.
Looking out of sorts to start and failing to get Harrison more involved, the Cardinals dropped what turned out to be a winnable game against one of the AFC’s best.
Had Murray and Co. gotten some work in a game setting before Buffalo, maybe the result would have been different. Keyword: Maybe.
Still, it’s something to think about.
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And let’s not overthink it. The Cardinals don’t need to run their starters out there for more than a series.
When it comes to Murray, let him hand it off three times and call it a night. Make the risk of injury as nonexistent as possible with limited snaps.
And while getting actual game reps can help set the foundation for the season ahead, going through the little details of game prep shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for rookies like Will Johnson who could find himself in the starting lineup sooner than later.
“I talked to all the players about everything, but we’ll make that decision when we need to,” Gannon said when asked about any preconceived preseason plans.
Can Cardinals’ preseason play help pave road ahead?
Getting after it from the jump is going to be key for the Cardinals this season given how their schedule shakes out.
Across the first half of the season, four of Arizona’s first seven opponents finished with fewer than six wins last year, beginning with New Orleans (5-12) and Carolina (5-12) the first two weeks.
The San Francisco 49ers, who are expected to win more than six games in 2025, are in that grouping, too.
Expand even further across the first seven games before the Week 8 bye and only two teams Arizona faces finished above .500 (Green Bay and Seattle).
If the Cardinals want a legit shot at turning the tide and earning a playoff berth, they must get off on the right foot to start the regular season. Preseason can help with that.
Because if not, Arizona is shaping up to have a gauntlet of a second half of the season, one where wins could be at a premium with playoff dreams hanging onto every score.
Among Arizona’s opponents on the backend include Seattle (10-7), Tampa Bay (10-7), Houston (10-7), the Los Angeles Rams twice (10-7) and Cincinnati (9-8). Atlanta (8-9) could also take a step forward this season.
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