The 2022 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 103rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 35th in Arizona, and their fourth and final under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. They attempted to become the third straight team in NFL history to host and win the Super Bowl as that year's Super Bowl was held at State Farm Stadium. However, they failed to improve upon their 11–6 record from the previous year after a Week 11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and missed the postseason after a Week 15 loss against the Denver Broncos.
Key season-ending injuries to their starters and inconsistencies on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball ultimately led to a season-ending seven-game losing streak and a third consecutive late-season collapse, as they matched a franchise record of 13 losses in a season that was set in the 2000 and 2018 squads. To add to those struggles, they had also lost eight home games this season, surpassing the 2018 squad for the most home losses in franchise history, only having won a single home game since Week 8 of the previous season. The team was also plagued by drama before and during the season, which was seen by some observers as a reason for Arizona's dismal performance in 2022.
A day after the season ended, the team announced that neither head coach Kliff Kingsbury nor general manager Steve Keim (who held his position since 2013) would be returning the upcoming season. This would also signal the end of an era for three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner J. J. Watt, as he officially announced his retirement following an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Organizational drama Following an 11–6 2021 season and a playoff appearance for the first time since 2015, the Cardinals hoped to become the third consecutive team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Instead, Arizona experienced a disastrous and drama-plagued 2022 season.
During the offseason, quarterback Kyler Murray deleted all references towards the Cardinals organization from his social media accounts, which suggested that a rift was growing between him and the organization. Despite this, Murray and the Cardinals agreed to a 5-year, $230.5 million extension in July, but the new contract contained a film study clause that required Murray to study film for four hours a week. Several observers intensely criticized the Cardinals for the inclusion of the clause, including Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon, who perceived the clause as stereotypical towards black quarterbacks. In response to the criticism, the team removed the clause a week later.
Throughout the season, the relationship between Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury deteriorated. For example, Murray and Kingsbury engaged in a heated sideline argument during a game against the New Orleans Saints. Murray also criticized Kingsbury’s scheming and said that it was "kinda fucked" following a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. These incidents and the offseason contract situation caused others, such as former Arizona All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson, to question Murray’s character, focus, and work ethic.
Murray was far from the only Cardinal to be a source of drama. For example, on May 2, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins got suspended for six games for failing a drug test. Wide receiver Marquise Brown was arrested during the offseason for speeding. Additionally, assistant coach Sean Kugler was fired by the team after he allegedly groped a woman in Mexico City before an international game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The off-field noise and injuries to key players, including Murray, were too much to overcome for Arizona, who cratered to a ghastly 4–13 record. Before and during the season, several former Cardinals, including Peterson and running back Chase Edmonds, argued that the team culture under Kingsbury, general manager Steve Keim, and team owner Michael Bidwill was responsible for the team’s general lack of success in recent seasons. Following the season, Kingsbury was fired and Keim stepped down due to health concerns.
Draft
2022 Arizona Cardinals Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 23 Traded to Baltimore 2 55 Trey McBride TE Colorado State 3 87 Cameron Thomas DE San Diego State 100 Myjai Sanders DE Cincinnati 2020 Resolution JC-2A selection; from Baltimore 4 128 Traded to Baltimore 5 166 Traded to Philadelphia 6 201 Keaontay Ingram RB USC 215 Lecitus Smith OG Virginia Tech Compensatory pick 7 244 Christian Matthew CB Valdosta State 256 Jesse Luketa LB Penn State Compensatory pick 257 Marquis Hayes OG Oklahoma Compensatory pick Draft trades
+ 2022 Arizona Cardinals undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. Darrell Baker Jr. CB Georgia Southern Tae Daley DB Virginia Tech Jarrett Guarantano QB Washington State Changa Hodge WR Virginia Tech Manny Jones DE Colorado State Kekaula Kaniho S Boise State Jontre Kirklin WR LSU Will Miles DE Central Michigan JaVonta Payton WR Tennessee Chris Pierce Jr. TE Vanderbilt Ronnie Rivers RB Fresno State Stephon Robinson Jr. WR Northwestern LaRon Stokes DT Oklahoma Chandler Wooten LB Auburn
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Cincinnati Bengals W 36–23 1–0 Paycor Stadium Recap 2 August 21 Baltimore Ravens L 17–24 1–1 State Farm Stadium Recap 3 at Tennessee Titans L 23–26 1–2 Nissan Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 11 Kansas City Chiefs L 21–44 0–1 State Farm StadiumRecap 2 September 18 at Las Vegas Raiders W 29–23 1–1 Allegiant Stadium Recap 3 September 25 Los Angeles Rams L 12–20 1–2 State Farm Stadium Recap 4 October 2 at Carolina Panthers W 26–16 2–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap 5 October 9 Philadelphia Eagles L 17–20 2–3 State Farm Stadium Recap 6 October 16 at Seattle Seahawks L 9–19 2–4 Lumen Field Recap 7 New Orleans Saints W 42–34 3–4 State Farm Stadium Recap 8 October 30 at Minnesota Vikings L 26–34 3–5 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap 9 November 6 Seattle Seahawks L 21–31 3–6 State Farm Stadium Recap 10 November 13 at Los Angeles Rams W 27–17 4–6 SoFi Stadium Recap 11 November 21 San Francisco 49ers L 10–38 4–7 Estadio Azteca Recap 12 November 27 Los Angeles Chargers L 24–25 4–8 State Farm Stadium Recap 13Bye 14 New England Patriots L 13–27 4–9 State Farm Stadium Recap 15 December 18 at Denver Broncos L 15–24 4–10 Empower Field at Mile High Recap 16 December 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 16–19 4–11 State Farm Stadium Recap 17 January 1 at Atlanta Falcons L 19–20 4–12 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 18 January 8 at San Francisco 49ers L 13–38 4–13 Levi's Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Cardinals were quickly overwhelmed by a high-powered Chiefs defense, finding themselves down 7–37 at the end of the third quarter. A late rally attempt fell well short, and Arizona was handed an 0–1 start for the first time since 2018.
Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders
After trailing 7–23 at the end of the third quarter, the Cardinals came back to force overtime. A fumble recovery led to a Cardinals touchdown. With the win, they improved to 1–1.
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams
With 1:07 left, Matt Prater attempted an onside kick, but failed. With the loss, the Cardinals dropped to 1–2.
Week 4: at Carolina Panthers
After stopping a Panthers' comeback, the Cardinals won the game 26–16. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 2–2.
Week 5: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Not only did the Cardinals lose to the Eagles at home for the first time since 2001, but they also lost their eighth consecutive game at State Farm Stadium. A missed field goal with 0:22 left sealed the loss for the Cardinals.
Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 7: vs. New Orleans Saints
This would be the first time the Arizona Cardinals scored more than 40 points in a game since January 1, 2017 at the LA Rams ( 44–7 ). This was also the Cardinals' only home win of the season.
Week 8: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 10: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 11: vs. San Francisco 49ers NFL Mexico City games
Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 14: vs. New England Patriots With the loss the Cardinals dropped to 4-9.
Week 15: at Denver Broncos With the loss the Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention and dropped to 4-10.
Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Christmas Day games
Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers
Standings Division
Conference
See also List of organizational conflicts in the NFL Racial issues faced by black quarterbacks
References
External links