The NFL's 2026 schedule release might be delayed by about a week, but the Arizona Cardinals already know they're in for a brutal ride. According to Walter Football, the Cardinals have the league's hardest schedule next season—a daunting reality for a team coming off a 3-14 record in 2025.
NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North recently revealed on the It's Always Game Day in Buffalo podcast that the full schedule could drop in mid-to-late May, rather than the usual second week. "Most fans know full well that the schedule comes out in mid-May now," North said. "That's what we've done the last five or six years. That's sort of our target. Is there any magic to May 12, 13, 14? No. Is there any real downside to May 19, 20, or 21? No." He added that a June release is unlikely but didn't rule out the third week of May.
The delay stems from ongoing streaming package negotiations, which are complicating the league's broadcast planning. But for Arizona, the wait only prolongs the anxiety of facing a schedule that includes reigning Super Bowl contenders and division rivals twice over.
The Cardinals' 2026 slate features home games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, and their NFC West foes—the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks. On the road, they'll travel to face the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and again the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks.
That lineup includes multiple playoff teams from both conferences, including the Chiefs, Eagles, and Lions—all of whom have been powerhouses in recent years. The Cardinals' division alone, the NFC West, is loaded, with the Rams and 49ers consistently in the mix. Vegas has already pegged Arizona as the NFL's biggest long shot for the 2026 playoffs, and this schedule does nothing to change that narrative.
The other teams with the toughest schedules include the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Rams. But none face the same uphill climb as Arizona, which must rebuild its roster and confidence after a disastrous 2025. The Cardinals have been linked to potential quarterback upgrades, including a reported pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, but even a veteran presence won't make this slate easy.
For Cardinals fans, the 2026 season looks like a trial by fire. Every game will test their mettle against elite competition. As North hinted, the schedule release is just the beginning—the real challenge starts in September. Buckle up, Arizona.
