Iowa's Karson Sharar Could Be Cardinals' Secret Weapon in 2026
Former Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Karson Sharar is turning heads in Arizona Cardinals training camp, and the sixth-round draft pick from the 2026 NFL Draft is positioning himself as one of the team's most intriguing under-the-radar additions. As the Cardinals look to rebound from a disastrous 3-14 season, Sharar represents the kind of blue-collar, hard-working player who could help turn things around.
What went wrong for the Cardinals in 2025?
The 2025 season was a nightmare for Arizona, largely due to an unprecedented wave of injuries. The Cardinals lost a staggering 179.8 Adjusted Games Lost, the second-highest total in the 25-year history of that metric, trailing only the 2021 Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Kyler Murray's foot injury sidelined him for the final 12 games, but the problems went far deeper than just the signal-caller position.
Playing in the brutally competitive NFC West against the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers, the Cardinals simply couldn't keep pace. Seattle and Los Angeles were the NFL's two best teams last season, and even the 49ers managed a 12-5 record despite their own significant injury issues.
Who are the hidden gems on Arizona's 2026 roster?
With new head coach Mike LaFleur at the helm and questions swirling at quarterback, the Cardinals will need contributions from every corner of the roster. Three players stand out as potential difference-makers who haven't yet received the national attention they deserve.
Josh Sweat: The veteran anchor on defense
Edge rusher Josh Sweat is the most critical piece of Arizona's defensive puzzle. In his first year with the team after signing a four-year, $76.4 million contract with $41 million guaranteed, Sweat compiled 12 sacks and 47 total pressures in just 355 pass-rushing snaps. The problem? When Sweat was off the field due to nagging injuries, the entire pass rush collapsed.
Former head coach Jonathan Gannon explained why Sweat's presence matters so much:
Well, they have to pay attention to Josh, and when they're paying attention to Josh, that's typically going to create some one-on-ones. Just kind of a numbers game with that.
Sweat is expected to come off the active/PUP list and be ready for the regular season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 13. LaFleur expressed confidence in his star pass rusher's readiness.
Gardner Minshew: The ultimate insurance policy at quarterback
The Cardinals signed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew to a one-year, $5.75 million contract to provide stability in an unsettled quarterback room. Minshew, a 2019 sixth-round pick who has started for three different NFL teams and made the Pro Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, brings a wealth of experience.
LaFleur has a specific role in mind for Minshew:
We want him to be the best backup quarterback of all time. What is a backup quarterback? You are one snap away at any given time, and you have to be always ready to go.
Minshew has embraced the challenge, showing a maturity born from his winding NFL journey.
Karson Sharar: Iowa's own making a name in Arizona
For Iowa football fans, Sharar is the name to watch. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker was selected with the 183rd overall pick in the sixth round after a breakout 2025 season as a first-year starter for the Hawkeyes. His numbers tell the story of a versatile, instinctive playmaker: 67 solo tackles, 42 stops, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, and 15 total pressures in just 78 pass-rushing snaps.
Sharar also showed impressive coverage skills, allowing no touchdowns while being targeted 40 times. His ability to line up all over the defense, from blitzing off the edge to covering slot receivers, makes him a perfect fit for modern NFL defenses.
Sharar understands his path to the 53-man roster runs through special teams, and he's embracing that reality:
[Special teams] is blue-collar. You've got to come in every day and work. Nothing is ever given to you. You have to take advantage of the opportunity.
Can the Cardinals surprise in the NFC West?
The odds are stacked against Arizona in 2026. The Seahawks remain strong, the Rams have loaded up considerably, and the 49ers should still be formidable. But with a healthy Sweat anchoring the pass rush, Minshew providing veteran stability at quarterback, and Sharar bringing Iowa toughness to the linebacker corps, the Cardinals have reasons for cautious optimism.
For Iowa fans, Sharar's journey from Hawkeye standout to NFL contributor is one worth following closely this season.