The greatest Arizona Cardinals players of all time span more than a century and three cities, from the Chicago Cardinals through the St. Louis years to today's Arizona squad. As the oldest continuously run pro football franchise, it boasts more than 20 Hall of Famers across every era, from a Thanksgiving scoring record that still stands to a Super Bowl XLIII run. Here are the 10 greatest Cardinals ever, ranked.
1. Larry Fitzgerald (WR · 2004-2020)
The universal franchise number one, who spent all 17 seasons in Arizona and ranks second all-time in receptions and receiving yards. An 11-time Pro Bowler, his historic 2008 playoff run carried the team to Super Bowl XLIII.
2. Larry Wilson (S · 1960-1972)
Often called the greatest Cardinal ever, the St. Louis safety holds the franchise record with 52 interceptions. A 1978 Hall of Famer, he was an eight-time Pro Bowler who famously perfected the safety blitz.
3. Kurt Warner (QB · 2005-2009)
The greatest quarterback of the modern era for the franchise, who led the team to its first Super Bowl, XLIII. A 2017 Hall of Famer, he threw for 4,583 yards in 2008 in one of football's great late-career resurgences.
4. Charley Trippi (HB · 1947-1955)
The triple-threat star of the Chicago Cardinals' 1947 NFL Championship team, scoring two ways in the title game. A 1968 Hall of Famer, he is one of the rare players with 1,000-plus career rushing, receiving, and passing yards.
5. Ernie Nevers (FB · 1929-1931)
A charter Hall of Famer who holds the oldest record in the NFL, scoring 40 points in a single 1929 game against the Bears. The dominant two-way fullback of the early Chicago era remains unmatched in that mark.
6. Aeneas Williams (CB · 1991-2000)
A 2014 Hall of Famer who played all 160 games over 10 seasons with the franchise. The shutdown corner of the 1990s totaled 46 interceptions and made six Pro Bowls as a Cardinal.
7. Patrick Peterson (CB · 2011-2020)
An eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro over 10 Arizona seasons. He set a rookie mark with four punt-return touchdowns in 2011 and built a strong future Hall of Fame case.
8. Dan Dierdorf (OT · 1971-1983)
A 1996 Hall of Famer who anchored one of the best offensive lines in NFL history during the mid-1970s Cardiac Cardinals playoff run. He earned six Pro Bowls and five First-Team All-Pro honors in St. Louis.
9. Roger Wehrli (CB · 1969-1982)
The premier shutdown cornerback of the 1970s and a 2007 Hall of Famer who spent his entire 14-year career in St. Louis. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he holds the franchise record with 19 fumble recoveries.
10. Ollie Matson (HB · 1952, 1954-1958)
An electric Chicago Cardinals ball carrier and return man, and a 1972 Hall of Famer who made six Pro Bowls. He was the centerpiece of one of the biggest trades in NFL history, dealt for nine players in 1959.
Honorable Mentions
Jim Bakken (St. Louis kicker, seven field goals in one game), Dick Night Train Lane (Hall of Fame corner, six Chicago seasons), Jackie Smith (Hall of Fame tight end, nearly all-Cardinal career), Adrian Wilson (Five-time Pro Bowl safety, 2008 defense core), Marshall Goldberg (Two-way star on 1947 championship team), Pat Tillman (Revered starter, Army Ranger, number retired), Conrad Dobler (Three-time Pro Bowl guard, elite 1970s line)
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