What Is 2016 Arizona Cardinals football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Arizona Cardinals finished the NFL season with an 7-8-1 record, placing second in the NFC West under head coach Bruce Arians. Quarterback Carson Palmer led the offense before retiring after the season.

Key Facts

Finished with a 7-8-1 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013
Played home games at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Carson Palmer started 10 games before retiring; Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert also played QB
Led the league in fewest sacks allowed (18) during the regular season
Lost key defensive player Tyrann Mathieu to a torn ACL in Week 1

Overview

The 2016 Arizona Cardinals entered the season as NFC West champions from 2015, aiming to return to the playoffs and build on their strong defensive performance. However, injuries and inconsistent quarterback play derailed their campaign, resulting in a losing record and a missed postseason appearance.

Head coach Bruce Arians managed a roster that remained competitive despite adversity, particularly on defense and along the offensive line. The team showed resilience but ultimately failed to maintain the momentum from their 13-3 2015 season.

Record: The Cardinals finished 7-8-1, their first losing season since 2012, and placed second in the NFC West behind the 13-3 Seattle Seahawks.
Quarterback situation:Carson Palmer started 10 games before retiring; Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert split time, struggling with consistency and injuries.
Defensive setback: Star safety Tyrann Mathieu suffered a torn ACL in Week 1, significantly weakening the secondary for the remainder of the season.
Offensive line strength: The unit allowed only 18 sacks, the fewest in the NFL, protecting the quarterback better than any other team.
Home stadium: Played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which hosted regular-season games and maintained a strong home-field advantage.

How It Works

The 2016 Cardinals' season structure followed the standard NFL format, with 16 regular-season games, three preseason games, and a coaching staff led by Bruce Arians. The team's performance was shaped by key personnel decisions, injury management, and divisional matchups.

Season Format: The NFL season consists of 16 regular-season games and a playoff system; the Cardinals did not qualify despite early playoff hopes.
Coaching Leadership:Bruce Arians, head coach since 2013, emphasized aggressive offense and player accountability, retiring after the 2017 season.
Division Competition: The NFC West included the Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers; Seattle dominated with a 13-3 record, outpacing Arizona.
Offensive Strategy: The team relied on a balanced attack, averaging 23.1 points per game, down from 26.8 in 2015 due to QB instability.
Defensive Adjustments: After losing Mathieu, the defense allowed 23.8 points per game, a significant increase from 20.1 in the previous season.
Special Teams: Punter Andy Lee led the NFL in punting yards (4,678) and average (48.0 yards), earning Pro Bowl consideration.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2016 Cardinals compared to recent seasons and division rivals:

Category	2016 Cardinals	2015 Cardinals	2016 Seahawks
Record	7-8-1	13-3	10-5-1
Points Scored	370 (23.1/game)	489 (30.6/game)	427 (26.7/game)
Points Allowed	381 (23.8/game)	321 (20.1/game)	344 (21.5/game)
Sacks Allowed	18 (1st in NFL)	32 (T-7th)	22 (T-3rd)
Playoff Result	Did not qualify	NFC Divisional Round	Did not qualify

The 2016 season marked a sharp decline from the dominant 2015 campaign. While the offensive line excelled, quarterback injuries and defensive attrition undermined consistency. The Seahawks, despite a losing record, won the division on tiebreakers, highlighting the NFC West's competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a transitional year that signaled the end of the Cardinals' peak under Arians and Palmer. It underscored the fragility of NFL success and the impact of key injuries.

End of an era:Carson Palmer's retirement marked the close of a chapter, leaving a void at quarterback that persisted for years.
Injury impact: Losing Tyrann Mathieu and other key defenders exposed depth issues and altered game planning.
Coaching legacy: Bruce Arians' leadership kept the team competitive, but his health issues foreshadowed his eventual retirement.
Front office decisions: The team's struggles in 2016 led to major roster changes and a rebuild beginning in 2017.
Division dynamics: The Cardinals' decline allowed the Seahawks and Rams to dominate the NFC West in subsequent years.
Statistical anomaly: Leading the league in fewest sacks allowed while missing the playoffs was a rare and telling contradiction.

The 2016 Arizona Cardinals serve as a case study in how quickly NFL fortunes can change, even with elite coaching and strong fundamentals in specific areas.