Arizona Cardinals Named NFL Team 'Least Likely' To Make 2026 Playoffs
Given that New England Patriots went from 4-13 to 14-3 in just one year, you really can't ever count out a team from turning it all around in one year. That said, there's one NFL team that bettors really aren't convinced has any chance of being a contender in January next year.
According to ProFootballTalk, the Arizona Cardinals currently have the longest odds to simply make the playoffs in the entire NFL. They're currently +2000, meaning a wager of $10 on them to make the playoffs would pay out $200 if they make the postseason for the first time since 2021.
That said, the Cardinals haven't exactly done a lot to convince people this offseason that the playoffs are a possibility in the near-future.
State of the Cardinals
The Cardinals' offseason began with the dismissal of head coach Jonathan Gannon after three years at the helm. Gannon had gone 15-36 over three seasons and had two separate seasons of 13 losses or more.
Replacing Gannon in 2026 will be first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and rising star on offense with a reputation for getting the best out of his quarterbacks.
But LaFleur doesn't exactly have a lot of talent at quarterback to work with following the NFL Draft. The veteran options are Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis, a trio that would barely strike fear into a college team right now, let alone an NFL defense. The team did take a flyer on former Miami and Georgia QB Carson Beck, but he didn't grade out as a Week 1 starter either.
The Cardinals used the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft to select Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love to help their run offense that ranked near the bottom of the league last year. But their defense might be the bigger concern after allowing over 28 points per game.
Simply put, there's not a lot to love about the Cardinals heading into 2026. That isn't to say that they can't go on some kind of miracle run and shock the world, but in a division that consists entirely of playoff teams and a schedule that also features the entire AFC West and NFC East, +2000 seems very reasonable right about now.
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 1:37 PM.