Reporter slams Cardinals, says they don’t deserve NFL prime-time games

USA TODAY Sports NFL reporter Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz has suggested that the Arizona Cardinals should be excluded from NFL prime-time national broadcasts for the 2026 season.

According to reporting from the Arizona Republic, Middlehurst-Schwartz believes the team’s current roster does not justify the national spotlight, concluding that the chaos ain’t worth the squeeze.

NFL Scheduling Shifts

The suggestion comes amid a change in how the NFL manages its high-profile game slots. The league has moved away from a previous mandate that required every team to be scheduled for at least one prime-time game per season.

Middlehurst-Schwartz noted that the NFL has utilized this flexibility to limit the visibility of teams deemed less competitive or less entertaining.

Since getting rid of its mandate for every team to be scheduled for at least one prime-time game, the NFL hasn’t been shy about keeping some of its duller and less competitive operations out of the spotlight. That could mean trouble for Arizona, which got two prime-time appointments in 2025 but could be blanked this fall.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Roster Evaluation and Concerns

In evaluating the Cardinals’ fitness for prime-time television, Middlehurst-Schwartz pointed specifically to the offensive line as a primary reason the team is not suitable for public consumption.

The critique persists despite some positive developments for the franchise. The team is seeing improving health following an injury parade during the 2025 season, a factor that could benefit new coach Mike LaFleur.

the arrival of player Jeremiyah Love was noted as a development that could generate mild intrigue for the team, though it was not deemed sufficient to override the concerns regarding the offensive line.

A History of Prime-Time Chaos

The assertion that the Cardinals are dull contradicts the team’s historical reputation for unpredictable performances when playing in national windows. The Arizona Republic highlighted the team’s tendency to act as agents of chaos during prime-time appearances.

One of the most prominent examples occurred on October 16, 2006, during a rare Monday night game against the Chicago Bears. In that contest, the Cardinals held a 20-0 lead at halftime and maintained a 23-3 lead late into the game.

The Cardinals eventually collapsed, surrendering two defensive touchdowns and a punt return for a touchdown by Devin Hester. The game ended after Arizona missed a potential game-winning field goal.

More recently, the team demonstrated its ability to produce unexpected results in 2025 with an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

While these moments of volatility have historically provided entertainment for a national audience, the current assessment from Middlehurst-Schwartz suggests that the current state of the roster may no longer provide the same level of competitive intrigue.