Something brewing with the Cardinals?

What sense are making of the recent coaching hires and QB rumors?

In the recent days before and after Super Bowl LIX, there have been some curious moves and rumors involving the Arizona Cardinals.

• A series of meaningful coaching changes, particularly on the defensive front 7 side of the ball.
• On Super Bowl weekend (timing?) came the speculation that the Cardinals could be listening to trade offers for QB Kyler Murray.
• The leaking of rumors involving the Cardinals interest in signing QB Daniel Jones.
• With the hiring of new OL coach Justin Frye, the Cardinals appear to be deepening their connections to the Ohio St. program that won the 2024 college Natty.
• Kliff Kingsbury declining the Saints’ HC job to stay Commanders’ OC, and thereby staying on Bidwill’s payroll another year, most likely in the $5M range.

ESPN+ Tiers

ROTB Poll Results (138 votes)

• 2% —-Still major contenders —-(3 votes)
• 7% —-On the cusp —- (10 votes)
• 7% —- Need a postseason breakthrough (10 votes)
• 7% —-Teetering contenders —-(10 votes)
• 20% —-Headed on the right track —-(27 votes)
• 22% —- Stuck in the middle...but a move or two away (30 votes)
• 10% —- Stuck in QB purgatory —- (14 votes)
• 10% —- This could go either way —- (14 votes)
• 1% —- New coach, new direction —-(1 vote)
• 4% —- Rebuild in the works —- (5 votes)
• 10% —-Yep, still rebuilding —- (14 votes)

Where did the ESPN+ analysts place the teams in the NFC West?

• ARI —- “This could go either way” with the Bears and Dolphins —- Tier 8
• LAR —- “Heading on the right track” —- Tier 5
• SEA —- “Heading on the right track” —- Tier 5
• SF —- “Stuck in the middle...but a move or two away.” —- Tier 6

THIS COULD GO EITHER WAY

Arizona Cardinals (8-9)

Average age of roster: 25.9

Salary cap space: $62.6 million

Total 2025 draft picks (projected): 5

What’s next: Arizona is positioned for success entering the third season under coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort. This regime hasn’t spent big in free agency, relying on the draft to rebuild, but now might be the time to pounce, coming off an eight-win season. The offensive line, pass rush and cornerback positions need improvements. There’s money to spend. Quarterback Kyler Murray is the only Cardinal with a cap hit above $20 million. Extending star tight end Trey McBride will be a priority.

NFL overhaul tiers: Who’s contending, rebuilding in 2025? - ESPN

Perhaps the mixed results of the ROTB Poll are an indication of “this could go either way.”

At this point, however, are the Cardinals really “a move or two away?”

Yep, still rebuilding?

When one considers all of the moves and rumors listed above, it appears that Michael Bidwill has given assurances to Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon that this is not a make-or-break year...