Are the Arizona Cardinals closer to contention than we all think?
By Sion Fawkes
The Arizona Cardinals look like a franchise on the downward spiral, but that hasn’t stopped some major networks from being optimistic about this team.
Ask most fans of the Arizona Cardinals, and you’re going to hear that this team isn’t even remotely close to contention. Following a 4-13 season, they’re not exactly wrong. But plenty of teams have been down and out before they somehow turned things around and exceeded even their most faithful followers’ wildest expectations.
Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report is one individual who believes the Cardinals can turn their fortunes around for 2023, as he listed them as one of six teams capable of pulling off such a feat. Gagnon cited ample cap space and a high draft pick as his two main reasons, along with the potential franchise quarterback that is Kyler Murray.
Can the Arizona Cardinals turn things around in one offseason?
I appreciate Gagnon’s optimism, but this is still a team operating without a head coach and therefore, no direction. While it, just like anything else in the NFL universe, is possible, the Cardinals, on paper, look like a far cry from being even remotely competitive in 2023.
Murray will most likely miss extended regular season action as he rehabs from a torn ACL. We also still have no clue what the Cardinals will do with the third overall pick. Plus, they need to re-sign key players like Byron Murphy Jr. and Zach Allen to keep themselves from filling even more holes on the roster than they already have.
If the Cardinals spent their money wisely and if Murray not only returns earlier than expected, but also develops into a more mature player, then there might be a chance here. They also can’t afford to whiff on their next head coaching hire, as doing so will set this franchise back even further.
light. Related Story. Cardinals showing why they will never be a winner
So are the Cardinals closer to contention than we all think? If they make the right roster moves, then the answer is yes. But then again, it would also involve keeping DeAndre Hopkins and other key players while finding exactly the right free agents to fill a slew of vacant positions on the roster.
Article Source: Six NFL Teams Positioned to Make Major Leaps in 2023 Offseason by Brad Gagnon
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