The Arizona Cardinals close out their preseason Saturday at home against the Las Vegas Raiders. Fans know the drill by now, but they’re still asking the same question that surfaces every final preseason game: Will the starters actually take the field?
Will Arizona Cardinals Starters Play Against the Las Vegas Raiders?
The answer is a definitive no.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon made it clear the game plan will mirror “similar to last week.” That means quarterback Kyler Murray and the rest of the starting lineup will watch from the sidelines, focusing on staying healthy before the regular season kicks off.
Instead, the coaching staff will use Saturday to evaluate depth players and give backups their final chance to prove they belong on the roster.
The Cardinals’ second-string players have struggled in previous games, creating some uncomfortable moments that caught attention. Preseason blowouts featuring mostly backups can look ugly, and some fans in Denver expressed concerns about the team’s depth after watching the reserves struggle, particularly defending the pass. However, Gannon urged patience with the development process.
“I like it in a lot of spots, but I don’t know if there is anybody that feels great about their depth throughout the whole team,” he said. “What you are trying to get accomplished is improvement of players every day, so when they go in, they can play winning football for you.”
Beyond evaluating depth, Saturday’s game serves as a final audition for younger players and roster hopefuls. With cuts to the 53-man roster deadline looming Tuesday, this represents their last shot to make an impression on the coaching staff.
While most starters will remain on the bench, some backups will line up alongside players who have already secured starting roles, giving coaches a chance to see how the team functions with mixed lineups.
What Does This Mean for Arizona’s 2025 Regular Season?
With the regular season rapidly approaching, the Cardinals view the 2025 campaign as a pivotal moment for the franchise. Expectations center on making a playoff appearance after a year of cultural changes and roster improvements under Gannon’s leadership.
The team enters the season with several advantages: a retooled defense, a relatively favorable schedule, and the developing chemistry between standout receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Murray.
Saturday’s game won’t provide all the answers, but it will clarify how the roster is taking shape and which players are ready to contribute when games start counting. So while fans won’t see Murray or other key starters in action against the Raiders, the matchup still carries significant weight.
This represents the team’s final opportunity to evaluate depth, fine-tune player roles, and establish the right tone heading into their regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. For a franchise with playoff aspirations, these final preparations could prove crucial when the real games begin.
