If you're looking to place a bet on an NFL team to make the playoffs next January, the oddsmakers in Las Vegas have a clear message: stay far, far away from the desert. According to recent lines, the Arizona Cardinals are the league's longest shot to simply earn a postseason berth in 2026, sitting at a staggering +2000 — meaning a $10 wager would net you $200 if they somehow pull it off.
Sure, the New England Patriots proved that a one-year turnaround from 4-13 to 14-3 is possible, but the Cardinals have shown little evidence that they're capable of such a miracle. After firing head coach Jonathan Gannon — who went a dismal 15-36 over three seasons, including two years with 13 or more losses — the franchise is starting over yet again.
A New Coach, Same Old Questions
Enter Mike LaFleur, the younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and a rising offensive mind known for squeezing production out of quarterbacks. But even LaFleur's reputation will be tested with this roster. The Cardinals' quarterback room currently features Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and Kedon Slovis — a trio that wouldn't exactly strike fear into a college defense, let alone an NFL one. The team did take a late-round flier on former Miami and Georgia standout Carson Beck, but he wasn't graded as a Week 1 starter by any scouting service.
With the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Arizona selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to bolster a rushing attack that ranked near the bottom of the league last season. But the bigger concern might be a defense that surrendered over 28 points per game in 2025. That kind of porous play won't cut it in a division that sent every team to the playoffs last year.
A Schedule Built for Failure
To make matters worse, the Cardinals' 2026 slate includes the entire AFC West and NFC East — two of the NFL's toughest divisions. It's a gauntlet that would test even a playoff-caliber squad, let alone one trying to rebuild from the ground up. As one Vegas insider put it, the +2000 line looks almost generous given the circumstances.
While other struggling franchises have shown signs of life — like the Lakers' recent playoff push — the Cardinals appear stuck in neutral. The franchise hasn't made the postseason since 2021, and there's little reason to believe that drought will end anytime soon.
Still, stranger things have happened in the NFL. If LaFleur can work his magic and the defense improves even marginally, Arizona could surprise some people. But for now, the smart money is on the Cardinals watching January football from home once again.
