Led by first-year head coach Bob Hollway, the Cardinals failed to improve on their previous year's 8–5–1 record, winning only four games.
[1] They failed to reach the playoffs for the 23rd straight season, their previous appearance was in 1948 in the championship game.
This was the last season the team was co-owned by Charles Bidwill, Jr.; he sold his share to his younger brother Bill in September 1972.
[2] The adopted sons of Charles and Violet Bidwill,[3][4] the two had co-owned the team since their mother's death in January 1962.
[5] Hired in February, Hollway was previously the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings under head coach Bud Grant.