What Is 2017 Arizona Cardinals football team

Overview

The 2017 Arizona Cardinals season marked the franchise's 98th in the NFL and the 12th playing home games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Competing in the NFC West division, the team failed to improve on their 7-8-1 record from 2016, finishing 8-8 and missing the postseason for the second straight year.

Head coach Bruce Arians, who announced his retirement after the season, led a team plagued by injuries and inconsistent offensive production. Despite flashes of strong defense and a resilient effort in close games, the Cardinals struggled to maintain momentum after a 2-3 start, ultimately finishing third in the NFC West.

• Record: The team finished with an 8-8 win-loss record, including a 4-4 mark at home and 4-4 on the road, failing to secure a playoff berth.
• Head coach: Bruce Arians concluded his tenure with the Cardinals after six seasons, stepping down due to health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family.
• Quarterback situation: Carson Palmer started only six games before suffering a season-ending knee injury, leading to a rotation between Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert.
• Defensive standout: Chandler Jones recorded 6.0 sacks in nine games before a pectoral injury ended his season early, robbing the defense of its top pass rusher.
• Division standing: The Cardinals finished third in the NFC West behind the Los Angeles Rams (11-5) and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (13-3).

Season Performance

The 2017 campaign was defined by missed opportunities, injury setbacks, and a lack of offensive consistency. Despite high expectations following a strong 2015 season, the team struggled to find rhythm under center and failed to capitalize on defensive strengths.

• Offensive struggles: The Cardinals ranked 27th in total offense, averaging just 303.8 yards per game, with major drops in passing efficiency after Palmer’s injury.
• Turnover issues: The team committed 21 total turnovers, including 12 interceptions thrown by backup quarterbacks Stanton and Gabbert.
• Red zone efficiency: Arizona converted only 54.2% of red zone trips into touchdowns, ranking 25th in the league and limiting scoring opportunities.
• Defensive strength: The defense held opponents to 19.8 points per game (8th best), led by linebacker Haason Reddick (rookie season) and safety Antoine Bethea.
• Special teams: Placekicker Phil Dawson made 27 of 31 field goals (87.1%), providing reliable scoring in tight games.
• Close games: The team went 4-4 in games decided by 7 points or fewer, indicating a lack of clutch performance despite competitive efforts.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 season can be better understood when compared to the previous two years in terms of performance, health, and results.

The decline in offensive production from 2015 to 2017 is evident, with fewer passing touchdowns and lower yardage totals. While the defense improved slightly in points allowed, the loss of key players like Palmer and Jones disrupted continuity and leadership on both sides of the ball.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season represented a transitional year for the franchise, signaling the end of the Bruce Arians era and the beginning of a rebuilding phase under new leadership. The team’s inability to stay healthy and produce consistently underscored deeper organizational challenges.

• Coaching change: Arians’ retirement led to the hiring of Steve Wilks as head coach in 2018, marking a shift in team culture and strategy.
• Draft implications: The 8-8 record resulted in a 15th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, used to select quarterback Josh Rosen.
• Quarterback uncertainty: Palmer’s retirement after 2017 left a void, forcing the team to explore new options at the most important position.
• Injury impact: Losing Jones and Palmer early exposed the team’s lack of depth and contributed to long-term defensive decline.
• Front office changes: The season’s outcome accelerated front office evaluations, leading to GM Steve Keim’s restructuring of the roster in 2018.
• Legacy of Arians: His 50-32-1 record over six seasons cemented him as one of the franchise’s most successful coaches, despite the 2017 letdown.

Ultimately, the 2017 Arizona Cardinals season served as a turning point, highlighting the need for youth development, improved depth, and a clearer long-term vision as the team entered a new era.