Arizona Cardinals offseason to-do list becoming enormous

The Arizona Cardinals have been awful this season, so it would behoove the organization to make wholesale changes in 2019

It’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals have been downright terrible this season. Fans have watched helplessly as the club has managed to win just two of the games that they have played. Nevertheless, loyal followers of the Cardinals tune in every week, giving their precious time to a program that desperately needs to go in a different direction.

Arizona general manager Steve Keim’s job performance has been in steady decline since 2016. Many draft picks have failed to pan out, and quite a few of the free agents that he’s brought in have been duds. The extension that the Cards handed Keim back in February appears to be a huge mistake at this point.

Despite that vote of confidence, Cardinals’ team President Michael Bidwill has a legitimate case for moving on from Keim at the end of the year. What this organization could use is a fresh start. Arizona has failed to reach the playoffs in each of the last two campaigns, and is arguably the worst squad in the NFL at the moment.

Something else that needs to be addressed is the Cards’ sorry coaching situation. It’s become painfully obvious that Steve Wilks is not cut out to be the head man. Whoever the GM turns out to be in 2019 needs to move on from the most incompetent group of coaches that the Cardinals have ever employed.

The hiring of an offensive-oriented head coach should be the next order of business. Arizona should be looking to build around quarterback Josh Rosen, so mimicking what the Los Angeles Rams did for their own young signal-caller would make sense. Jared Goff was looking like a bust until L.A.’s front office hooked him up with Sean McVay, a brilliant offensive mind.

A reshaping of the Cards’ roster should also be a part of the plan. The most glaring weakness is their rancid offensive line. Much of the blocking unit’s retooling will need to be done through the draft, since high-caliber blockers are rarely available during free agency.

Finding wide receivers for Rosen should also be high on the priority list. Fortunately, wideout is one position that can be filled with free agents, as well as the draft. A more productive and consistent tight end should also be added to the Cardinals’ nest.

What’s ultimately done with the defense will depend on whether Wilks is retained or not. The switch to a 4-3 alignment has not been a success. Defensive coordinator Al Holcomb’s bunch has consistently pressured opposing passers, but what good is that when they can’t stop the run?

The next offseason has the potential to be an interesting one. It’ll be extremely disappointing if the Cards elect to stand pat, especially if Wilks is welcomed back. Bidwill’s business has reached it’s lowest point in years, so drastic measures need to be taken to rescue it from the doldrums.