The Arizona Cardinals are facing a grim reality as the 2026 NFL season approaches. Following the league's annual schedule release, sports betting projections have painted a stark picture: the Cardinals are projected as underdogs in all 17 games this season. That's right—every single matchup, whether at home, on the road, or under the primetime lights, has the odds stacked against them.

This is a far cry from the optimism that typically surrounds a new season. The Cardinals, who finished among the league's worst teams last year, are now staring down a potential race for the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. It's not exactly the confidence boost fans were hoping for.

One of the biggest storylines is the team's quarterback situation. Longtime starter Kyler Murray has moved on to the Minnesota Vikings, leaving the reins in the hands of Jacoby Brissett. Brissett posted a 1-11 record last season, but he did throw for 23 touchdowns against just eight interceptions—a stat line that offers a glimmer of hope. Still, questions linger about whether he can replicate that performance behind a shaky supporting cast.

Adding to the pressure is the arrival of rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, selected third overall out of Notre Dame. Love enters the NFL as one of the highest-paid running backs in the league before even taking a snap. All eyes will be on him to deliver, but that's a heavy burden for any rookie.

Defensively, the Cardinals were a disaster last season, allowing the fourth-most points (488) and the most first downs (380) in the NFL. Their only notable offseason addition on that side of the ball is defensive lineman Roy Lopez, who had a solid 2025 campaign with the Detroit Lions. It's a modest upgrade for a unit that needs a complete overhaul.

So, can the Cardinals shake off the doubt and prove the oddsmakers wrong? Or are they destined for another long season, with the 2027 NFL Draft's top pick as their only consolation? For now, the outlook is bleak, but in the NFL, stranger things have happened. The Cardinals will have to find a way to flip the script—and fast.