Arizona Cardinals CANNOT TRUST Their Pass Rush or DB Room

In this episode of Locked On Cardinals, Alex Clancy concludes his “Trust/Can’t Trust” mini-series focused on the Arizona Cardinals’ defense. While last week covered what you could trust on offense and defense, today is all about the defensive position groups and coaching staff that remain unreliable as the team heads into the offseason. Alex Clancy breaks down why, despite the significant resources invested last offseason, the Cardinals’ pass rush continues to be inconsistent. He analyzes the impact of injuries to key players like Walter Nolan and Mac Wilson, discusses the lack of depth behind their lone reliable rusher Josh Sweat, and stresses the urgency to add another proven veteran and draft help to the defensive front. Next, the show shifts to the defensive back room, where Alex Clancy candidly explains why you can’t trust the group as a whole, even though Budda Baker remains a constant. With injuries plaguing nearly every starter—from Jalen Thompson and Will Johnson to Garrett Williams and Max Melton—the DB group is full of question marks. The conversation includes thoughts on possible draft additions, the need for veteran leadership, and how uncertainty affects every lineup option. Finally, Alex Clancy tackles the big question: Can you trust defensive coordinator Nick Rallis? He explores Rallis’s journey, from rookie DC to the current bridge between coaching staffs, and weighs the evidence for and against trusting his leadership. While the defense showed promise when healthy, collapses late in the season raise doubts. Still, Alex argues that Rallis’s relationships and knowledge are invaluable to the evolving squad. Packed with analysis, tough questions, and forward-looking suggestions, this episode offers fans a clear-eyed look at what needs fixing on the Cardinals’ defense and what might still be worth believing in as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Let's discuss.   Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. FanDuel Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. 5-Hour ENERGY Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. HomeChefFor a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Just go to https://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)     Find and follow Locked On Cardinals on your favorite podcast platforms:     Apple https://apple.co/3gzT6Pg Spotify https://spoti.fi/3wsOL7a Audacy https://bit.ly/3xdaqjU Stitcher https://bit.ly/3cFWffn Google https://buff.ly/2yH7WOl Megaphone https://bit.ly/2RUBlC5x Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.