Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon woke up early Sunday to news he wasn’t expecting.
Quarterback Kyler Murray wasn’t feeling well.
It wasn’t the wake-up call he imagined with his team about to play the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome. Ultimately, Murray rallied and the Cardinals went on to a 20-13 victory.
“There was no way he was missing that game,” Gannon said Monday. “It was unfortunate because he was not feeling great.”
Even Murray acknowledged after the game that he couldn’t think of a scenario in which “sickness could make me miss” a start.
From Murray’s steady play to the promise of cornerback Will Johnson to the leadership of Calais Campbell, the Cardinals left New Orleans with hope and a 1-0 record.
They were particularly fortunate to have their starting quarterback out on the field even if he wasn’t 100%. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 163 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers.
Protecting Murray was an issue that surfaced for the Cardinals’ offensive line, with the Saints finishing the game with five sacks.
“(Saints defensive coordinator Brandon) Staley did a good job,” Gannon said. “They had a couple of unique things. They were running a replace rush a couple times, which made us hot one time, and they’re making us pass off games.”
Trailing 3-0, it was New Orleans who punched in the first major play of the game with an 18-yard touchdown run by running back Alvin Kamara that put the Saints in front 7-3.
Arizona quickly responded with Murray hooking up with wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. for a touchdown in a second-and-goal-to-go situation that gave the Cardinals a 10-7 edge with 10:05 remaining in the second quarter.
ah, we missed Marvin Harrison Jr. touchdowns
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/8LEppSJxjn
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 7, 2025
The Saints answered right back, tying the game at 10 with a 36-yard field goal from Blake Grupe. However, the Saints left the Cardinals enough time to mount a drive, aiming to take the lead before halftime.
Murray would do just that, leading Arizona on a 10-play, 71-yard march that ate up more than four minutes of clock, which he finished with a 4-yard touchdown pass to James Connor that gave the Cardinals a 17-10 lead.
A Cardinals defensive bright spot was the impact rookie cornerback Will Johnson had in the game. Arizona selected him in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.
“He has all the tools to be an elite corner in this league,” Campbell said.
oh my, Will Johnson 💥
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/RCnzia54H9
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 7, 2025
Johnson was a part of the 2023 Michigan Wolverines team that ended the season as national champion. Johnson was named Defensive MVP of the College Football Playoff title game.
“He played well. I thought he played with the right technique throughout most of the day,” Gannon said. “Made some plays, showed up, I know one big hit. What was cool about that was taking coaching to the grass, that was formation recognition with him there.”
Johnson finished the game with one tackle, three passes defended and an interception that was called back.
Both teams added a field goal in the second half, and Arizona held off a late New Orleans drive engineered by former Pinnacle High quarterback Spencer Rattler to win, 20-13. The Cardinals earned their first Opening Day win since 2021, which was the last time the club made the playoffs, starting the season with a record of 7-0.
“I think (Saints quarterback) Spencer Rattler played a really good ball game for them,” Campbell said. “He played a lot better than a lot of people thought he would. The Saints’ defense played with a whole lot of tenacity, they’re well coached, they play hard, and you have to give respect.”
New Orleans had a tough 2024 campaign, finishing 5-12 after starting the season 2-0 and scoring a combined 91 points in those games.
Traveling to start the season is nothing new for Gannon. The Cardinals have started on the road their last two seasons, both of which ended with close losses, falling 34-28 to the Buffalo Bills last year and 20-16 to the Washington Commanders in 2023.
One familiar face Arizona was happy to welcome back this season is Campbell, who returned to the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Campbell serves as a veteran presence on a defense that is seeking its identity. He comes in with a resume full of experience in his 18th season in the NFL.
“I still feel pretty good, it feels good to get a win,” Campbell said. “I think in this business you can never take for granted how hard it is to win in the NFL.”
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