When Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon were hired to lead the Cardinals, they molded their vision around becoming a draft and develop team. While in the past the Cardinals may have been meticulous during free agency, the tone from the general manager and owner Michael Bidwill seemed different during their in-studio appearance for "Newsmakers Week" on Arizona Sports 98.7 on Friday.
With more than $76 million according to overthecap.com, the Cardinals have the fourth-most cap space available. For a team that had been in first place in the NFC West, the front office recognizes they're close.
"We are going to be active (in free agency)," Ossenfort said. "We're going to look for every avenue to improve the team, but we have to be smart about not only this year's team, but as we build for the future and our own players that we want to extend."
Record-breaking tight end Trey McBride is one of those players eligible for a contract extension. McBride has been a valuable member of the organization, both on and off the field, serving as the Cardinals' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The Pro Bowler is "everything we want this program to be" and Ossenfort said they'll work on the extension "as it comes up."
Despite not making the playoffs, Ossenfort and Bidwill were both optimistic when looking back on the 2024 season. On the field, the Cardinals had eight victories, doubling their 2023 win total, and won five of their last six games at State Farm Stadium.
The optimism has trickled down to the fan base as well. Since the season ended, 3,500 new season tickets have been purchased. As the home field advantage continues to make a difference, Bidwill shared his commitment to continue investing in the stadium and fan experience.
Through the Morgan Athletic Club and the Casita Garden Club in the end zone, the organization created a unique viewing experience unlike anything done before in the NFL.
"You look at the improvement that we've made to the stadium, about $300 million over the last several years, and we're going to make even more," Bidwill said. "It's not just at the higher end, it's all throughout the stadium. You're going to see improvements made in the terrace level, our upper deck. Last year we made a bunch of changes with adding in locally owned food brands at all levels at all price points. People are going to see even more of that this year."
When asked about a recent lawsuit, the Cardinals owner said he "strongly denies all these allegations and look forward to the process so that we can stand our ground and make sure we defend ourselves strongly, which we will."
There's been growth with the Cardinals and throughout the NFL. With flag football and international games at the forefront, Bidwill said there's an excitement about the future of the sport. He also highlighted that at some point, the league and owners will need to have discussions with the NFL Players Association about an 18-game regular season.
Until then, the focus is on building a playoff contender in the Valley. According to Ossenfort, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has been in the facility every day since the season ended, as has quarterback Kyler Murray.
With more opportunities to develop that chemistry, Ossenfort is looking to see improvement, especially towards the second half of the season.
"With our whole team, we have to finish," he said. "There were those tight games that was it only Kyler? No, there was other things that the rest of the team could do. Does Kyler have to play better? Absolutely he does.
"We don't want to turn the ball over and we want to make explosive plays. When Kyler was doing those things and contributing to those things, he was rolling. He was humming and we saw what that could be."
As the Cardinals flip the page to 2025 and the player acquisition period begins, the opportunity to strike is now.
"We're so close," Bidwill said. "This is such a competitive division. With a few more pieces this offseason, I feel like we've got the right combination of coaching, players, roster, to take the next step."
