Hall of Fame WR Cris Carter Slams Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill

Carter says Bidwill and the Cardinals' ownership group "do not know what they're doing"

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In a recent podcast appearance, Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter heavily criticized the Arizona Cardinals' ownership, led by team president and chairman Michael Bidwill. Carter said the Cardinals have "one of the worst ownership groups" and that former Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald was "lucky his career wasn't ruined" by playing for the team. Bidwill has faced growing criticism from the team's fanbase in recent years, with the Cardinals failing to make the playoffs since 2021 and not winning a postseason game since 2015.

Why it matters

The Cardinals' struggles on the field and the growing discontent with the team's ownership have become a major storyline in the NFL. As one of the league's most prominent former players, Cris Carter's scathing comments about the Cardinals' leadership add to the pressure on Bidwill to turn the franchise around and restore fan confidence.

The details

In his appearance on the Fully Loaded podcast, Carter unloaded on Bidwill and the Cardinals' ownership, saying "They have one of the worst ownership groups. They do not know what they are doing." Carter also said that former Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald was "lucky his career wasn't ruined" by playing for the team. Bidwill has faced criticism from the team's fanbase, including for his response when asked why the Cardinals don't have a team president - "I am the team president." The Cardinals were also ranked as the third-worst NFL team in terms of ownership in a recent NFLPA report.

  • Cris Carter made his comments on the Fully Loaded podcast in February 2026.
  • The Cardinals last made the playoffs in 2021 and last won a postseason game in 2015.

The players

Cris Carter

A Hall of Fame wide receiver who played in the NFL from 1987 to 2002, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings.

Michael Bidwill

The owner and chairman of the Arizona Cardinals, who has been operating the team since 2007 when he was named team president.

Larry Fitzgerald

A former star wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, who is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

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What they’re saying

“Listen, sir. I'm going to tell you something that you've never heard before about the Arizona Cardinals. They have one of the worst ownership groups, They do not know what they're doing. And I couldn't say this for a long time because my kid was playing out there — [Larry] Fitzgerald. But now he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Now I can let go.”

— Cris Carter, Hall of Fame Wide Receiver (Fully Loaded Podcast)

“They're awful. The way they do things is awful. He was lucky to survive his career there. Arizona, I think when Kurt Warner went into the Hall of Fame, they offered him the Bidwill's jet — you can take the jet to Canton and come back. That's it.”

— Cris Carter, Hall of Fame Wide Receiver (Fully Loaded Podcast)

What’s next

The Cardinals are currently focused on the NFL Combine, meeting with prospects in Indianapolis as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft. The team has nearly $40 million in salary cap space heading into free agency, and new head coach Mike LaFleur will be looking to turn the team's fortunes around after they missed the playoffs in 2025.

The takeaway

Cris Carter's scathing criticism of the Cardinals' ownership highlights the growing frustration with the team's struggles under Michael Bidwill's leadership. As the Cardinals continue to search for a path back to the playoffs, the pressure will be on Bidwill and the team's front office to prove they can build a winning organization and regain the trust of the fanbase.