Who is the Bigger Problem? Michael Bidwill or Misguided Cardinals' Fans?

photo credit: Bill Greenblatt UPI

By Walter Mitchell

Or maybe it's vice versa --- because Michael Bidwill's problem is he tries to give the fans what they want, thinking that if they get what they want, it will sell tickets.

Misguided Cardinals' fans major whiffs:

1. "You have to give Kyler his bag because there is no other choice."

2. "Jonathan Gannon had every right to listen to Monti Ossenfort during the forbidden Super Bowl weeks. Coaches do it all the time."

3. "Losing a 3rd round draft pick for Jonathan Gannon's NFL tampering rule violation was well worth it."

3. "Cardinals Dominated Texans in Blockbuster 2023 Draft trade."

4. "Monti's releasing of his 2023 trade conversation with Texan's GM Nick Caserio was awesome."

5. "Jonathan Gannon is a tremendous culture changer."

6. "Jonathan Gannon is the Cardinals' version of Dan Campbell."

7. "Nick Rallis is going to be a head coach somewhere next year."

8. "Kliff ruined Kyler."

9. "Commanders' fans, we tried to warn you, Kliff can't finish any season strong."

10. "Tank for Marv!"

11. "Losing to the Seahawks on Matt Prater's two missed field goals was the perfect loss."

12. "Marvin Harrison Jr. is an elite, generational talent."

13. "Garrett Williams is an elite All-Pro caliber cornerback."

14. "The Cardinals couldn't do anything to prevent Klayton Adams from taking the Cowboys' OC job."

15. "Will Johnson is the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft. He is a lockdown cornerback."

16. "The Cardinals are going to win 10-11 games and make the playoffs in year three."

17. "Drew Petzing's passing schemes are the worst in the NFL."

18. "Michael Wilson, on every other team, would be at best a WR3."

19. "The Cardinals have the least amount of WR talent in the NFL. They can't separate from anyone. No wonder why Kyler is struggling."

20. "Jacoby Brissett's stats are inflated garbage. We are seeing why he is a perennial backup."

What are the common denominators? Ways in which Cardinals' fans can change for the good.

1. Putting coaches and players on pedestals before any of them have proven themselves.

2. In other words, banking on potential, rather than real-time actuality, while completely ignoring red flags.

3. Thinking that breaking NFL rules and tanking games is quite all right because eventually it should give the Cardinals a boost.

4. Believing that things such as the Cardinals having the youngest, most inexperienced coaching staff in the NFL --- with the staff not really needing to include any veteran advisors --- should not have to impede the team's success in the NFC West against the likes of Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Mike Macdonald.

5. Making absurd, unrealistic pre-season predictions and thereby raising team expectations through the roof.

6. When it comes to evaluating players at their positions, not taking into account the full responsibilities of the position --- like with cornerbacks who are good in zones but are shaky in man and are not very consistent or eager tacklers. 

7. Not making an effort to scout players on their own rather than taking other people's word for it as if it's gospel.

8. With players they put on pedestals, believing it's always the coaches' fault when the players falter. 

9. Believing the coaches' decisions of who to cut or who to play are always correct.

10. Believing that the Cardinals had no other choice but to do a slow rebuild and tank games. Over the past three seasons, the NFL has seen perennial bottom feeders with new head coaches quickly turn their squads into playoff teams and division winners. 

And perhaps the worst common denominator of all?

Michael Bidwill being eager and willing to give the fans whatever they want.

The Solution?

Now if only the fans could convince Bidwill to sell the team --- or at least --- to turn over all football decisions and authority to a highly qualified director of football operations --- now we're talking!