The Arizona Cardinals fell to 3-6 on Sunday following one of the most embarrassing showings by any NFL team this season. Arizona never had a shot in this one, mixing two three-and-outs with two fumbles that the Seattle Seahawks returned for touchdowns in their first four possessions. The Cardinals' offensive line has underperformed all year, and Seattle’s defense amplified those struggles to the max during a 44-22 win.

The Main Takeaway: Justin Frye cannot return as OL coach in 2026

Replacing Klayton Adams with Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye has been a colossal failure. The Cardinals' surprisingly solid offensive line was a big reason for their success on that side of the ball in 2024. The group ranked fourth in PFF team pass block grade and 14th in team run block grade with the exact same players that they’ve rolled out this season, minus about eight games worth of Trystan Colon.

In 2025, those grades currently rank 25th in pass block grade and 27th in run block grade. In pass protection, Jonah Williams has been a turnstile at right tackle, playing so poorly on Sunday that he was finally benched for last year's starter, Kelvin Beachum. The interior has also done a complete 180, with guard Evan Brown having already allowed five more pressures through nine games than he did in 17 games in 2024, and Will Hernandez looking like a shell of his former self through six games since returning to the lineup.

Every Cardinal offensive lineman not named Paris Johnson has seen their individual run blocking grade drop. They cannot protect, they cannot generate push on the ground and they certainly cannot pick up a blitz.

Keeping Frye and giving him time won’t make a difference, considering he was the only new piece dropped onto a staff and position room with lots of continuity, so his removal this offseason is a must.

On A More Positive Note: Trey McBride has another level he can reach

The Cardinals' biggest bright spot this season has undoubtedly been fourth-year tight end Trey McBride. After a 111 catch season in 2024, it feels crazy to say that McBride could ascend even higher, but he’s already scored more touchdowns in nine games this season than the rest of his career combined. Jacoby Brissett has been able to unlock McBride in the red zone, with five of his touchdowns coming since Brissett took over.

His role is the same, with 51 of his 83 targets coming between 0-9 yards, giving him good run-after-catch opportunities. He’s running harder as well, with 11 missed tackles forced through nine games, as opposed to 14 through 16 games in 2024.

With Brissett at QB, McBride has averaged 8 catches for 82 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game. With that pace in mind, McBride should eclipse 100 catches again, and he’s got a shot to blow past 10 touchdowns, which would almost guarantee him an All-Pro selection.

Finally: Lets see what Cody Simon’s got

Rookie linebacker Cody Simon got an opportunity to start in place of an injured Mack Wilson on Sunday. Simon played 62 snaps on Sunday and compiled six tackles along with a pass breakup, but he also missed three tackles and posted a 48.2 run defense grade.

While not the most encouraging performance, the linebacker has become the most difficult position to play on an NFL defense, and young players are taking longer than ever to develop into quality starters. The Cardinals' season is effectively over regarding competing for a playoff spot, so it wouldn’t hurt to live with the growing pains of a rookie linebacker, and if he completely fails to show flashes of being an effective starter, it isn’t difficult to justify upgrading over a former fourth-round pick in the offseason. It’s a no-risk situation given the spot Arizona finds itself in, and it’s a fantastic chance to get a fourth rookie contributing to the defense.