2022 Arizona Cardinals season

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 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.[1]

2022 Arizona Cardinals season
OwnerMichael Bidwill
General managerSteve Keim
Head coachKliff Kingsbury
Home fieldState Farm Stadium
Results
Record4–13
Division place4th NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersSS Budda Baker
Uniform

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.[2][3]

A day after the season ended, the team announced that neither head coach Kliff Kingsbury nor general manager Steve Keim would be returning the upcoming season.[4] 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 Arizona 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.[5] 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 organization 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.[6]

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.[7] Murray also criticized Kingsbury’s scheming and said that it was "kinda fucked" following a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.[8] 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.[9][10]

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.[11] Wide receiver Marquise Brown was arrested during the offseason for speeding.[12] 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.[13]

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.[14] Following the season, Kingsbury was fired and Keim stepped down due to health concerns.[4]

Draft
Main article: 2022 NFL Draft
2022 Arizona Cardinals Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
123 Traded to Baltimore[upper-alpha 1]
255 Trey McBrideTEColorado State
387 Cameron ThomasDESan Diego State
100 Myjai SandersDECincinnati2020 Resolution JC-2A selection; from Baltimore[upper-alpha 1]
4128 Traded to Baltimore[upper-alpha 2]
5166 Traded to Philadelphia[upper-alpha 3]
6201 Keaontay IngramRBUSC
215 Lecitus SmithOGVirginia TechCompensatory pick
7244 Christian MatthewCBValdosta State
256 Jesse LuketaLBPenn StateCompensatory pick
257 Marquis HayesOGOklahomaCompensatory pick

Draft trades

  1. The Cardinals traded a first-round selection (23rd overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for WR Marquise Brown and a third-round selection (100th overall).
  2. The Cardinals traded a fourth-round selection (128th overall) and a 2021 fifth-round selection to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for 2021 fourth- and sixth-round selections.
  3. The Cardinals traded CB Tay Gowan and a fifth-round selection (166th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for TE Zach Ertz.
2022 Arizona Cardinals undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Darrell Baker Jr. CB Georgia Southern [15]
Jarrett Guarantano QB Washington State [16]
Changa Hodge WR Virginia Tech [15]
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
2022 Arizona Cardinals staff
Front office
  • Owner/chairman/president – Michael Bidwill
  • General manager – Steve Keim
  • Vice president of player personnel – Quentin Harris
  • Vice president of pro personnel – Adrian Wilson
  • Vice president of football operations & facilities – Matt Caracciolo
  • Director of player personnel – Dru Grigson
  • Director of college scouting – Chris Culmer
  • Director of football administration – Matt Harriss
  • Senior personnel executive – Terry McDonough

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Vance Joseph
  • Defensive line – Matt Burke
  • Linebackers – Billy Davis
  • Outside linebackers – Charlie Bullen
  • Defensive backs – Marcus Robertson
  • Cornerbacks – Greg Williams
  • Defensive assistant – Ronald Booker
  • Defensive assistant – Rusty McKinney
  • Defensive quality control – Rob Grosso

Special teams coaches

  • Assistant special teams – Devin Fitzsimmons

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Buddy Morris
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Mark Naylor

Final roster
2022 Arizona Cardinals final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 51 active, 18 inactive, 16 practice squad (+2 exempt)

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 12 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 August 27 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 Stadium Recap
2 September 18 at Las Vegas Raiders W 29–23 (OT) 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 October 20 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 Mexico Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) Recap
12 November 27 Los Angeles Chargers L 24–25 4–8 State Farm Stadium Recap
13 Bye
14 December 12 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 (OT) 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.

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 14 9 14744
Cardinals 0 7 01421

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

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
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cardinals 0 0 716629
Raiders 7 13 30023

at Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

Game information

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
Week 3: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 10 3 7020
Cardinals 0 6 3312

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 1:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 63,243
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

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
Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 71626
Panthers 0 10 0616

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

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
Week 5: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 7 7 3320
Cardinals 0 10 0717

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

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 6: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 0 609
Seahawks 3 6 3719

at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. MST & PDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 68,867
  • Referee: Shawn Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 7: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 7: New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 7 31734
Cardinals 3 25 7742

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

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 )

Week 8: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 8: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 7 13326
Vikings 7 7 14634

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/10:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,742
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 9: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 7 71431
Cardinals 7 0 7721

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

Week 10: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 14 01027
Rams 3 0 7717

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST/1:25 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)
  • Game attendance: 71,752
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 11: vs. San Francisco 49ers

NFL Mexico City games

Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 17 14738
Cardinals 3 7 0010

at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

Game information

Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 12: Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 14 3825
Cardinals 7 10 0724

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

Week 14: vs. New England Patriots
Week 14: New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 10 10727
Cardinals 0 13 0013

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: December 12
  • Game time: 6:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 63,251
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 15: at Denver Broncos
Week 15: Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 6 3615
Broncos 3 0 71424

at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Parly cloudy, 39 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,179
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Christmas Day games

Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Buccaneers 3 3 010319
Cardinals 3 3 010016

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 10 3319
Falcons 0 14 0620

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 69,269
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (Fox): Jason Benetti, Brady Quinn and Megan Olivi
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers
Week 18: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 6 7 0013
49ers 7 14 17038

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

  • Date: January 8
  • Game time: 1:25 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 71,638
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Division
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) San Francisco 49ers 13 4 0 .765 6–0 10–2 450 277 W10
(7) Seattle Seahawks 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 407 401 W2
Los Angeles Rams 5 12 0 .294 1–5 3–9 307 384 L2
Arizona Cardinals 4 13 0 .235 1–5 3–9 340 449 L7

Conference
NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Philadelphia Eagles East 14 3 0 .824 4–2 9–3 .474 .460 W1
2[lower-alpha 1] San Francisco 49ers West 13 4 0 .765 6–0 10–2 .417 .414 W10
3[lower-alpha 1] Minnesota Vikings North 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 .474 .425 W1
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 8 9 0 .471 4–2 8–4 .503 .426 L1
Wild cards
5 Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 4–2 8–4 .507 .485 L1
6 New York Giants East 9 7 1 .559 1–4–1 4–7–1 .526 .395 L1
7[lower-alpha 2] Seattle Seahawks West 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .462 .382 W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 9 8 0 .529 5–1 7–5 .535 .451 W2
9 Washington Commanders East 8 8 1 .500 2–3–1 5–6–1 .536 .449 W1
10 Green Bay Packers North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 6–6 .524 .449 L1
11[lower-alpha 3] Carolina Panthers South 7 10 0 .412 4–2 6–6 .474 .437 W1
12[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] New Orleans Saints South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 5–7 .507 .462 L1
13[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .467 .429 W2
14 Los Angeles Rams West 5 12 0 .294 1–5 3–9 .517 .341 L2
15 Arizona Cardinals West 4 13 0 .235 1–5 3–9 .529 .368 L7
16 Chicago Bears North 3 14 0 .176 0–6 1–11 .571 .480 L10
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. San Francisco finished ahead of Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
  2. Seattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  3. Carolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
  4. New Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
  5. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

See also

References
  1. "Cardinals eliminated from playoffs after losing to Broncos". Associated Press. December 20, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  2. "Arizona Cardinals' 2022 season one of NFL's most dysfunctional ever". Arizona Sports. December 15, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  3. "Somers: Arizona Cardinals nearing end of their most bizarre season in the desert". azcentral. December 23, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  4. Urban, Darren (January 9, 2023). "Cardinals Relieve Kliff Kingsbury Of Coaching Duties, Steve Keim Steps Down". azcardinals.com. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  5. "Kyler Murray unfollows Cardinals on social media, deletes all franchise-related pictures on Instagram". CBS Sports. February 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  6. "Warren Moon calls Kyler Murray's film study clause a 'slap in the face' to Black quarterbacks". USA Today. July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  7. "Kyler Murray on argument with Kliff Kingsbury during Saints-Cardinals: I was just telling him to 'chill out'". CBS Sports. October 21, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  8. ""Schematically, We Were Kind Of Fucked." Kyler Murray Gives Honest Take On Kliff Kingsbury's 4th Down Call". Barstool Sports. November 27, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  9. "Kyler Murray's Cardinals teammates confident in QB's work ethic, knowledge for game". NFL.com. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  10. "Patrick Peterson Has No 'Beef' With Kyler Murray Despite Criticizing Him". Sports Illustrated. December 1, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  11. "NFL suspends Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins six games for violating PED policy". NFL.com. May 2, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  12. "Arizona Cardinals' 2022 season one of NFL's most dysfunctional ever". Arizona Sports. December 15, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  13. "Cardinals assistant coach Sean Kugler fired for groping woman, sources say". ESPN. November 23, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  14. "Former Arizona Cardinals slam team's culture amid Kyler Murray contract situation, drama". azcentral. April 20, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  15. "Cardinals Agree To Terms With 12 Undrafted Rookies". azcardinals.com. Arizona Cardinals. May 2, 2022.
  16. Urban, Darren (May 16, 2022). "Cardinals Sign QB Jarrett Guarantano After Rookie Tryout". AZCardinals.com.
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