The Arizona Cardinals appear to be in a rebuilding mode with a new general manager, new head coach and lackluster free agent period. They have seen Zach Allen and Byron Murphy leave in free agency and DeAndre Hopkins is on the way out via trade.
There isn’t much optimism for the coming season yet, which is why new post-free agency power rankings from SI.com’s Connor Orr has the Cardinals dead last at No. 32 of 32 teams.
Kyler Murray isn’t starting the season, J.J. Watt is gone and DeAndre Hopkins could end up being shipped out in a draft-day deal à la Hollywood Brown and A.J. Brown a year ago. This division belongs to the 49ers right now, and the Seahawks aren’t regressing any time soon. The Cardinals would not have gotten rid of a coach and general manager in the early stages of a long-term extension if they didn’t know how bad a shape they were in.
And what can someone say? Murray is likely going to miss time to start the season. They don’t have anyone of note on the defensive interior or edge. They have questions at cornerback.
They have a general manager, head coach and two coordinators who are holding those positions for the first time.
It appears the front office is trying to build a scrappy, competitive team for 2023 with eyes on 2024, getting rid of any burdens created by Steve Keim and his roster management.
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