The Arizona Cardinals’ offense was clicking on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys. Although receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was the headliner, there was another Cardinals player who played a significant role. The offense has been clicking ever since Jacoby Brissett took over at quarterback, especially in the passing game.
This week, Brissett revealed the rising importance of one of Arizona’s young receivers in the Cardinals’ offense.
Why Is Michael Wilson Important for the Cardinals’ Offense?
Receiver Michael Wilson has quietly been a very productive secondary receiver for the Cardinals in his three years in the NFL. The Cardinals drafted Wilson in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Stanford.
The Stanford product became a factor in Arizona’s offense nearly immediately, playing in 13 games in his rookie season and starting in 12 of those. Wilson collected 38 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie year, and followed that with 47 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
In 2025, Wilson has taken a slight step back with just 18 catches for 197 yards through eight games and five starts. However, that’s more due to other factors than Wilson’s play on the field dropping.
The Cardinals’ offense struggled at times to get going early in the season, but tight end Trey McBride has emerged as a breakout player in 2025. In addition, receiver Harrison Jr. has also begun to show what he’s capable of this year.
However, Brissett still has plenty of confidence in the Cardinals receiver and knows he affects the game in more ways than one.
“His toughness jumps off the film. A guy that does all the dirty work for us, who still has the skill set that if need be, he can be the No. 1 target,” Brissett said. “I got a ton of respect for Mike, and every time his number gets called, he makes the most of his opportunity. I’ve just become fans of a lot of the guys on this team.”
Not only did Brissett acknowledge Wilson’s value to the team in blocking and toughness, but he also considered him a No. 1 option if needed.
Wilson’s role this season has become more focused on short-yardage situations and around the line of scrimmage, to make simple gains to keep the offense ahead of the sticks.
The Stanford product has the lowest yards per target on the team, but has the highest yards after catch over expected, according to PFSN’s WR Impact. He has a 67.3 impact score and is expected to rise higher as the season progresses.
Wilson has functioned as the Cardinals’ second or third receiving option alongside Zay Jones, behind Harrison this year. However, Monday night may have earned him more leverage as the main No. 2 guy.
Wilson had his best game of the 2025 season, catching three passes for 61 yards, including a 50-yard catch and run on a quick slant to open the second half.
The 50-yard catch and run was the Cardinals’ longest passing play of the year. After averaging less than 10 yards per reception through the first five games of the season, Wilson has averaged almost 15 yards per catch in his last three games.
Zay Jones has had his moments as well, and Harrison broke out on Monday night, but if Wilson continues his progress, he could solidify himself as the No. 2 receiving option behind Harrison and earn more targets throughout the second half of the year.