The 2026 NFL schedule is out, and teams are getting their first look at who they’re up against, but the Arizona Cardinals have drawn a lot of criticism online. The dominant rise of AI saw a peek into the NFL, as the team used it to create a schedule-release video. Many people were highly upset.
‘Cheap’ Cardinals Called Out for ‘Embarrassing’ AI Video
Arizona made social media headlines for making an AI video of all the NFL mascots reacting to the Cardinals’ schedule. Superficial chatter between the mascots in the video, framed as a video conference call, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
The team posted the clip on X, with the caption: “We asked Big Red to help announce the schedule… he may have taken the assignment too seriously.”
The NFL world reacted in droves, with much criticism toward the AI.
“This is fu**in dogsh*t,” Greg Brainos posted on X.
There’s not much to say at this point. The team is just flat out awful at social media. https://t.co/gENGcbFJEa
— Saul Bookman (@Saul_Bookman) May 15, 2026
“Embarrassing stuff,” reporter Kellan Olson wrote.
With an opportunity to kick off the early-season preparations on a strong note, the NFL community largely felt the Cardinals fell severely short.
“It seems as though the Cards filmed their own mascot on green screen and then used AI to turn it into all the other mascots,” “Bootleg Football” co-host Brett Kollmann posted.
I mean this with my whole heart: don’t watch this. https://t.co/mxMipRu37M
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) May 15, 2026
“Cheapest team in the league that routinely gets an F on every aspect of NFLPA organizational grades, resorting to AI slop for the biggest content creation opportunity of the NFL year,” Carter Donnick wrote.
As we are still in the early stages of AI adoption, most people are passionate in their opposition to the technology. As such, AI-generated content is often met with disapproval, which explains the Cardinals’ failed attempt to entertain fans.
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“Arizona Cardinals franchise may be the worst in sports… Even the social media trash. AI for a schedule release lmao,” Andrew Leezus posted.
“Oh, wow this is the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” journalist Jordan Zirm wrote.
Arizona might be original in its use of AI to create a schedule-release video; however, the team seems a couple of years away from receiving an overall positive response from football enthusiasts.
Nonetheless, AI is already entering the league at a core level, as the technology is being used to maximize efficiency. Sony’s Hawk-Eye AI-powered tracking system assists with line-to-gain measurements for first downs and tracks players, among other technical aspects.
We’re only at the dawn of AI in sports, and it’ll be fascinating to see where the evolution leads football.
