Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson dismisses concerns about Myles Garrett trade’s impact on NFC West

The Arizona Cardinals are trying to turn offseason noise into a simple message within their division. Asked about the Rams’ recent acquisition of Myles Garrett, Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson said he does not view the move as a reason for his team to change its mindset or its expectations for how NFC West games will be played.

Wilson’s comments were framed around a familiar preseason question: if one of the league’s most disruptive edge players is now on the Rams, does that alter how Arizona believes it can compete twice a year. In his response, Wilson leaned on practicality rather than worry, emphasizing that the Cardinals will still be the opponent Los Angeles has to face, not a bystander to a star-driven upgrade. (Multiple reports describe the remark as Wilson saying Los Angeles “has to deal with” Arizona.)

That attitude arrives as the Cardinals continue to rebuild and re-identify what “competitive” means for their roster. Last season, Arizona finished 3-14, and in the most recent stretch against the Rams, the Cardinals have lost several of their past meetings. Those results have added pressure to every offseason storyline, including decisions about coaching and quarterback development, because the division schedule does not pause for transition phases.

Even so, the Cardinals believe their offense offers reasons for optimism. Yahoo Sports’ related coverage noted that Arizona’s offensive core includes quarterback Jacoby Brissett, along with weapons such as running back Jeremiyah Love, tight end Trey McBride, and wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. That context matters for the Wilson quote because the most immediate way the Cardinals can blunt Garrett’s presence is by sustaining drives and forcing the Rams to defend more than one phase at a time, rather than being pinned in obvious pass-rush downs.

The Garrett trade also changes the defensive math for Arizona’s opponents, not just their own. Los Angeles has added a high-impact player who can affect games even when opponents try to game-plan him. But the Cardinals’ stance, as Wilson articulated it, suggests they are preparing for a division in which the Rams remain one of several threats rather than an unavoidable ceiling. In other words, Arizona is not treating the matchup with the Rams as a foregone conclusion.

How this plays out will likely be decided by execution details instead of sound bites. The Cardinals still face the challenge of playing more consistently on defense, and if Arizona’s unit cannot generate enough pressure or keep leverage in the run game, Garrett’s addition will only make the “big plays” problem worse. Meanwhile, the Rams will also need to integrate Garrett’s role into their defensive package, particularly in how they coordinate edge threats with interior pressure and coverage responsibilities.

Next to watch is how Arizona’s coaching staff uses camp and preseason reps to build a repeatable plan for stopping elite pass rushers. If the Cardinals’ offensive line can protect well enough to let playmakers work, and if their defense can create stops that keep the Rams from dictating tempo, Wilson’s confidence will start to look like more than public optimism. If not, the NFC West title picture will likely tighten around teams that can sustain advantages across both sides of the ball.

For now, Wilson’s message is what you would expect from a veteran leader who wants his team to treat the Rams as a divisional opponent, not a problem set with only one correct answer. The trade is real, Garrett’s talent is undeniable, and the division stakes remain high. But Arizona’s immediate goal is to be the team that still shows up, down to the smallest detail, on the days it has to earn its place in the standings.