2004 Arizona Cardinals season
The Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 106th season, 85th season in the National Football League and the 17th in Arizona. The team managed to improve upon their previous output of 4–12. However, the team failed to make the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Season lows for the Cardinals included losing two games to the San Francisco 49ers, the only two games the 49ers won in 2004. The Cardinals, during Week 9, also defeated the Miami Dolphins for the first time in franchise history.
The season was notable for drafting wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald with the 3rd pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Following the season, Emmitt Smith retired after 15 seasons.
Offseason
NFL Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 3 | Larry Fitzgerald | Wide Receiver | University of Pittsburgh |
| 2 | 33 | Karlos Dansby | Linebacker | Auburn University |
| 3 | 64 | Darnell Dockett | Defensive Tackle | Florida State University |
| 4 | 100 | Alex Stepanovich | Center | Ohio State University |
| 5 | 135 | Antonio Smith | Defensive End | Oklahoma State University |
| 6 | 167 | Nick Leckey | Center | Kansas State University |
| 7 | 202 | John Navarre | Quarterback | University of Michigan |
Pat Tillman
On April 22, 2004, former Cardinals safety Pat Tillman was killed in a friendly fire incident while on patrol. The specific details of his death and its aftermath are currently being investigated by the US Congress. Tillman was the first professional football player to be killed in combat since the death of Bob Kalsu of the Buffalo Bills, who died in the Vietnam War in 1970. Tillman was posthumously laterally promoted from Specialist to Corporal. He also received posthumous Silver Star and Purple Heart medals.On Sunday, September 19, 2004, all teams of the NFL wore a memorial decal on their helmets in honor of Pat Tillman. The Arizona Cardinals continued to wear this decal throughout the 2004 season.