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The Arizona Cardinals had already signaled that they were prepared to turn the page on their struggling 2026 campaign. Trading Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jacoby Brissett showed that general manager Monti Ossenfort was willing to sacrifice established talent for future draft capital. Yet, when the trade deadline arrived, Arizona suddenly became reluctant to part with two of its most valuable veterans. This left the Cardinals with a missed opportunity to accelerate their rebuild. For a team sitting near the bottom of the NFC West, holding onto valuable assets could prove more costly than letting them go.
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Sitting at 3-6 and anchored to the bottom of the NFC West, Arizona’s 2026 campaign has unraveled under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. The Cardinals opened with an encouraging road victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, but three consecutive defeats quickly exposed their defensive vulnerabilities. They later bounced back with hard-fought wins over the Rams and Dallas Cowboys, only to lose to Denver and Seattle. Arizona’s defense has surrendered 28.3 points per game. Injuries have devastated the offense. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., running back Jeremiyah Love, wide receiver Michael Wilson, and quarterback Gardner Minshew II have all landed on Injured Reserve. With Carson Beck now taking over at quarterback, the franchise has little reason to prioritize short-term results over long-term roster construction.
That reality makes Ossenfort’s inaction on deadline day particularly puzzling. Arizona had already demonstrated a willingness to accumulate draft capital. Trading Harrison to Houston for a 2027 second-round pick and a seventh-round selection, while sending a 2027 sixth-rounder to the Texans. The Cardinals also dealt Brissett to Baltimore for a 2027 fourth-rounder and a 2028 seventh-round pick. And yet, Baker and Sweat remained in Arizona after the November 10 deadline.
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Baker was arguably the biggest missed opportunity. The Buffalo Bills reportedly made a compelling offer for the veteran safety. Arizona ultimately held firm. Buffalo pivoted to Tennessee’s Amani Hooker. They acquired him for a second-round pick while receiving a fifth-rounder in return. Reports indicated that the Cardinals viewed Baker as the emotional heartbeat of the franchise and were reluctant to move him.
There is certainly a human element to that decision. Baker has been a franchise icon and one of the most recognizable faces of the organization. At the same time, sentimentality cannot become a substitute for sound roster management. At 30, Baker remains a valuable player. Still, Arizona cannot assume his trade value will remain this high indefinitely. A premium Day 2 selection could have helped address several positions of need, particularly with the roster facing a substantial rebuild.
Sweat presented another opportunity. The edge rusher had generated legitimate trade chatter. ESPN identified him as a prominent potential deadline candidate. His contract situation complicated the market, though. He reportedly wanted a new deal and that acquiring teams would have to account for his financial commitments. Still, Arizona should have explored whether a contender was willing to make an offer worth accepting. Even if the return fell short of what the Cardinals wanted, listening seriously to the market would have been consistent with their rebuilding timeline.
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Keeping both veterans leaves Arizona with a difficult balancing act. Baker can still provide leadership and stability for their defense. Sweat, meanwhile, offers a proven pass-rushing presence when available. Still, those contributions must be weighed against the opportunity to acquire draft picks that could help build a younger, deeper roster.
The Cardinals are already dealing with significant injuries and uncertainty at quarterback. Beck’s development should be a priority. Their offensive line and receiving corps need considerable attention as well. Additional premium selections would give Ossenfort more flexibility to address those weaknesses rather than relying exclusively on free agency or later-round development.
The Cardinals did not have to trade every veteran or completely dismantle their locker room. However, they needed to recognize that their mounting injuries and quarterback transition made future assets particularly valuable. The Harrison and Brissett deals established a sensible direction. Failing to follow through with Baker and Sweat left that strategy unfinished.
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Arizona may still revisit those conversations in the offseason. That said, the deadline represented a rare opportunity to negotiate with contenders facing immediate needs. Ossenfort passed on that chance. For a franchise trying to build its next competitive core, that hesitation could be the Cardinals’ biggest mistake of the 2026 season.
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