GLENDALE — No, the Arizona Cardinals’ 20-17 preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs doesn’t count toward the 2025 win-loss column.
But for players looking to make their case more concrete for added playing time or just a roster spot, a game like Saturday marked the next big chance to put something on film.
A look at those who seized the opportunity in Arizona’s preseason-opening win:
Emari and Bam
There has been a lot of Trey Benson talk this training camp, and rightfully so.
The second-year pro looks poised to take a jump this season, especially with the amount of first-team reps he’s been seeing. Quarterback Kyler Murray and running back James Conner believing Benson is in for a big year doesn’t hurt the confidence, either.
But while he got the first looks after James Conner called it an evening, it was running back Emari Demercado who took home the play of the game.
.@Money_E3 weavin’ & bobbin’ out here pic.twitter.com/pwsEmSSx0c
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 10, 2025
Down 14-3 late in the second quarter, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett found Demercado on a screen pass and the running back did the rest for a 43-yard touchdown.
The catch and run marked the longest play of the night for both teams.
“I think they value me,” Demercado said postgame. “It’s just on me to make those plays when they call my number.”
Demercado also snagged a 13-yard pass from Brissett, further showing off his hand skills.
Known for his pass protection, seeing Demercado flash his playmaking abilities is important for his role on the team.
He paced the running backs through the air, but it was Zonovan “Bam” Knight who lead the way on the ground.
Highlighted by a 27-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, Knight rushed for 51 yards on six carries. He caught one ball for 10 yards.
Of the two, Demercado seems more likely to crack an initial 53-man roster spot thanks to his proven track record in pass protection and familiarity in the system.
“He’s a good football player. He wears a lot of hats,” coach Jonathan Gannon said postgame. “He comes in here, he’s quiet, he competes every day, but he goes about his job. He’s a pro and he showed up tonight.”
Consistency is key for Xavier Weaver
Gannon wanted to see more from Weaver from a playmaking standpoint this training camp.
On Saturday, he provided a couple of solid examples for the head coach.
THAT KID ZAY FOR THE TD.@thtkidzayy | @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/ph6LKcIqlZ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 10, 2025
On top of the one-yard touchdown catch, Jones caught a 13-yard pass earlier in the drive. He also picked up yardage through a 24-yard defensive pass interference.
Not a bad series for the wideout.
“I think at camp he’s been a touch up and down. He showed up today,” Gannon said. “I have a lot of confidence in him. He’s a tough cover. The one slant that he caught before the touchdown in that drive I thought was really good. It was right in front of me, so I saw it. Beat press off a really big corner. He created space and won on a slant catch and run. The touchdown was a good play. He’s a playmaker.”
Now, it’s about putting it together on a consistent basis.
In addition to his offensive positives, Weaver also successfully got through the game without letting a football hit the ground as a returner.
Primary returner options Greg Dortch (one fumble) and DeeJay Dallas (two) can’t say the same.
Former and current running mates
From high school teammates to suiting up together for an NFL game, Saturday marked a cool moment for pass rushers Jordan Burch and Xavier Thomas.
One of the highlights to Thomas’ night was his absolute destruction of Kansas City running back Elijah Mitchell and disruption of quarterback Bailey Zappe, who threw an interception amid the chaos (more on that later).
Keep your eyes on No. 54.
Darren Hall goes up and gets the INT for the @AZCardinals!
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/wf7IFjq58l
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025
Burch, meanwhile, should have gotten home twice had it not been for a pair of illegal contact penalties.
They might not officially show up on the stat sheet, but they will on tape!
A good first showing for the 2025 third-round pick, who is very much in the mix to be a key rotational pass-rushing piece with veteran Baron Browning.
“I did see him win some rushes, which was good to see. And winning the right way, too,” Gannon said of Burch.
Fun in the trenches
These two were already locks to make the roster and be rotational contributors, but defensive linemen Dante Stills and L.J. Collier deserve some love for how they played on Saturday.
Coming off career years with Arizona last season, the duo picked up where they left off.
Collier registered the Cardinals’ lone sack of the night, while Stills added multiple pressures and drew a holding penalty.
Disruption accomplished.
“I told him on a sideline, I feel like when he got here as a pup, he would have a good day and then a bad day, a good day and a bad day. Kind of riding the roller coaster,” Gannon said of Stills. “He’s been steady this camp, as steady as I’ve seen him over the course of two years and it’s typically a good sign. He’s consistently playing good ball right now.”
Secondary
Yes, rookie Will Johnson got the start at cornerback alongside Max Melton and Garrett Williams.
But it was another cornerback, Darren Hall, who came away with the room’s lone interception on Saturday.
After a strong preseason last year that led to his place on the initial 53-man roster, Hall was again a talking point thanks to the turnover that was generated by Thomas’ pressure.
Given the injuries in the room and Hall’s play, there’s a good chance he makes back-to-back initial 53-man Cardinals rosters.
Then there’s rookie safety Kitan Crawford, another defensive back needing a strong preseason campaign.
A known special teams ace, Crawford flexed his defensive traits with a third quarter interception in the end zone.
rookie with the end zone pick!@KitanCrawford | @NevadaFootball pic.twitter.com/iGtaYYrK8m
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 10, 2025
In a room that includes Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson and trusted special teamer Joey Blount, every bit helps the 2025 seventh-round pick.
