Arizona Cardinals: Division title not out of the question

An outstanding offseason has made winning the NFC West division title a realistic possibility for the 2020 Arizona Cardinals

The transformation that the Arizona Cardinals have undergone over the past year and a half has been downright impressive. A squad that was the NFL’s worst in 2018 has made tremendous strides since that horrendous campaign came to an end. So much so, in fact, that there are some who believe that the Cards have a realistic chance of winning the NFC West division this coming fall.

At the same time, there are many other football enthusiasts who feel that Arizona would need a miracle to accomplish such a feat. After all, head coach Kliff Kingsbury‘s team won just five times in 2019. Have the Cardinals done enough this offseason to make the leap from worst to first in 2020?

Many Cards fans would argue that they have. The acquisition of superstar wideout DeAndre Hopkins could turn out to be the best transaction in franchise history. The defensive unit should benefit as well, with productive individuals like Isaiah Simmons, Jordan Phillips, De’Vondre Campbell and Devon Kennard getting added to the roster.

The biggest obstacle standing in Arizona’s way to a divisional championship is the San Francisco 49ers. Several key players have left the “City by the Bay”, a group which includes Joe Staley, DeForest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders. San Francisco’s biggest acquisition this offseason is left tackle Trent Williams, a 32-year old who has not appeared in a game since December of ’18.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, at 31 years of age, remains one of the league’s best. Keeping the signal-caller upright and healthy this year could be an incredibly challenging task, however. Offensive linemen such as Justin Britt, Germain Ifedi, George Fant and D.J. Fluker have left Seattle, defections which could leave Wilson extremely vulnerable in ’20.

The roster of the Los Angeles Rams was feasted upon by scavengers this offseason, and the organization did very little to offset the losses. Offensive talent like Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks have left town, along with Pro Bowl placekicker Greg Zuerlein. On defense, the Rams will have to do without Dante Fowler Jr., Cory Littleton, Eric Weddle, Clay Matthews and Nickell Robey-Coleman.

There’s rampant optimism surrounding the Cardinals at the present time. General manager Steve Keim and his cohorts have assembled one of the team’s best rosters in years. Perhaps a division crown for the Cards is not a pipedream after all.