Cardinals Dead Last in Pre-Training Camp Power Rankings
Training camp is officially here, and the Arizona Cardinals are on level playing field with the rest of the league until the regular season starts later in September and wins/losses pile up.
The Cardinals don't exactly carry heavy expectations heading into 2023 - their franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is still rehabbing a torn ACL and his date of return is unknown. When he does make his way back on the field, he'll be under a brand new coaching staff (with a first-time head coach and offensive coordinator) and won't have previous top weapon DeAndre Hopkins at his disposal.
While the Cardinals still work through Budda Baker's current contract situation, Bleacher Report dubbed them the worst team in the league in their pre-training camp power rankings.
Here's what they offered on Arizona's spot at No. 32:
"It hasn't been an easy offseason for the Arizona Cardinals," wrote BR.
"The team is breaking in a new head coach in Jonathan Gannon and a new general manager in Monti Ossenfort. The Redbirds released arguably their best offensive weapon in wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. There's no telling when quarterback Kyler Murray will be able to return from the ACL tear that ended his 2022 season.
"Gannon was the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles team that made the Super Bowl last year. Wide receiver Marquise Brown told reporters that Gannon has brought some badly needed confidence to the Arizona locker room.
"'I feel like with JG [Jonathan Gannon], the confidence he brings, I know for me I'm a confident guy,' Brown said. 'And I feel like that's getting moved around through the team, just being confident. With everybody doubting us, we're gonna surprise a lot of people.'
"However, between Murray's injury, a lack of firepower on offense and a myriad of changes on a defense that ranked 21st in yardage allowed last season, the 'surprise' will be if the Cardinals can avoid the NFC West basement."
The Texans rank right ahead of the Cardinals at No. 31, which Arizona wouldn't mind too much - they have the first-round picks for both themselves and Houston in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here's how the rest of the NFC West ranked:
San Francisco 49ers (5)
Seattle Seahawks (12)
Los Angeles Rams (21)
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