The Cardinals are in tough shape from what I can tell. It's still really up in the air when their QB Kyler Murray will return from his ACL tear. Even if he does return, will he be rusty or fully recovered?
If Kyler does return, do they have the weapons around him to succeed? They lost WR DeAndre Hopkins, they have an injured and aging tight end in Zach Ertz and WR Marquise Brown who's really not a number one option receiver in my opinion.
If Kyler does return and Zach Ertz returns that will be key for this offense to have a little bit of life. James Conner is a physical, versatile running back who the team can lean on. Backup quarterback Colt McCoy I think could get the Cards about three games, maximum four and keep the team afloat a little bit.
The defense does not wow me, but I think there's some potential with players like linebacker Zaven Collins and free safety Budda Baker. The team's new head coach Jonathan Gannon is defensive minded as well and was most recently the defensive coordinator for the NFC Champion Eagles.
Kyler has proven that he can get hot and be a weapon. He's led the Cardinals to the playoffs just two seasons ago. The Cardinals made a sensible hire in Jonathan Gannon. These are positive things for the Cardinals and hiring a new HC is a good idea for a fresh start, but they still had a bad season last year in general, even before Kyler's injury.
I think this season is a giant mystery for the Cardinals, but things could fall into place for them. The NFC feels wide open in many ways. But they have a lot of work to do and a lot to prove, #24 seems like a good spot for them.
