Arizona Cardinals Make Surprising Roster Changes

WriterBenjamin Turner

Arizona Cardinals: A Brief History

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona. The franchise was established in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club and is one of the oldest teams in the National Football League (NFL). Over its long history, the team has had several name changes and played home games at various locations before settling into State Farm Stadium.

Despite being one of the oldest franchises in NFL history, it wasn't until recently that they found success on a consistent basis. In 2008, under head coach Ken Whisenhunt's leadership, they made their first Super Bowl appearance but lost to Pittsburgh Steelers. However, since then, they have struggled with inconsistency.

In recent years, though, things are looking up for them again, with some promising young talent emerging on both sides of the ball, along with a new coaching staff led by Kliff Kingsbury, who took over from Steve Wilks after just one season. With all these developments happening within the organization, fans can only hope that this upcoming season will bring more success than previous ones!

Current State of the Team

The Arizona Cardinals have been a team in transition over the past few seasons. After finishing with a 5-10-1 record in 2019, they made significant changes to their coaching staff and roster. In 2020, under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray, the Cardinals showed promise by improving to an 8-8 record.

Heading into the upcoming season, optimism surrounds this young team's potential for growth. The addition of veteran wide receiver A.J. Green provides another weapon for Murray on offense, while J.J. Watt brings leadership and experience to bolster their defense.

Despite playing in one of the toughest divisions in football (NFC West), expectations are high for this up-and-coming squad as they look to compete for a playoff spot once again in 2024.

Key Players to Watch in 2024 Season

The Arizona Cardinals have a talented roster heading into the 2024 season, with several key players poised for breakout performances. One player to watch is quarterback Kyler Murray, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his first few seasons but will be looking to take his game to the next level this year. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is another player who could make a big impact on the team's success as he continues to establish himself as one of the top receivers in the league.

On defense, linebacker Isaiah Simmons and safety Budda Baker are two young stars who could play pivotal roles in shaping Arizona's defensive identity this season. Additionally, rookie cornerback Caleb Farley brings plenty of potential and athleticism to bolster an already strong secondary.

Overall, there are many exciting players on both sides of the ball for fans to keep an eye on during what promises to be an intriguing campaign for the Cardinals.

Offseason Moves and Acquisitions

The Arizona Cardinals had a busy offseason, making several key moves to improve their roster. One of the biggest acquisitions was trading star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans for running back David Johnson and draft picks. Hopkins is expected to provide quarterback Kyler Murray with a reliable offensive target.

In addition, the team signed veteran linebacker Devon Kennard to bolster their pass rush and added defensive tackle Jordan Phillips to help shore up their run defense. The Cardinals also addressed their offensive line by signing guard J.R. Sweezy and drafting tackle Josh Jones in the third round.

Overall, these moves show that the Cardinals are committed to improving upon last season's record of 5-10-1. With an improved roster, they will look to compete in what promises to be a tough NFC West division this upcoming season.

Predictions for Upcoming Season

The Arizona Cardinals are a team on the rise, and many experts predict that they will continue to improve in the upcoming 2024 season. With key players like Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, and Chandler Jones leading the way, there is reason for optimism among fans.

One area where the Cardinals may need help is their offensive line. The team has made some moves to address this issue in free agency and through the draft, but it remains to be seen if these changes will have a significant impact.

Another factor that could affect Arizona's success in 2024 is its tough divisional rivals. The NFC West features some of the strongest football teams, including perennial contenders like the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.

Despite these challenges, many analysts believe that the Cardinals have what it takes to make a deep playoff run next year. If Murray continues his development as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks and Hopkins stays healthy throughout the season, then anything can happen come postseason time.

Analysis of Divisional Rivals

The Arizona Cardinals compete in the NFC West division, which is considered one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks have been perennial playoff contenders, while the Los Angeles Rams made it to Super Bowl LIII just a few seasons ago.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Cardinals split their series with each team last season. However, all three teams finished ahead of them in the standings.

The biggest challenge for Arizona will be containing these high-powered offenses within their division. Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray are two dynamic quarterbacks who can make plays both through the air and on the ground. Additionally, Jimmy Garoppolo has proven to be an effective game manager under Kyle Shanahan's system.

Defensively, Aaron Donald leads a dominant front seven for LA, while Nick Bosa anchors San Francisco's pass rush. It will take strong performances from key players like Chandler Jones and Budda Baker if Arizona hopes to keep up with their rivals this upcoming season.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Cardinals' Defense

The Arizona Cardinals have a solid defense that has been improving over the past few seasons. In 2023, they ranked in the top half of the league in total yards allowed per game (11th) and points allowed per game (14th).

One of their biggest strengths is their pass rush, led by superstar defensive end Chandler Jones. He recorded 12 sacks last season despite missing four games due to injury. The addition of rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons also adds versatility to their defense, as he can play multiple positions.

However, one weakness for this team is their run defense, which ranked near the bottom third in rushing yards allowed per game (25th). They will need to improve on stopping opposing teams from running all over them if they want to make a deep playoff run.

Overall, with some key additions during offseason moves and acquisitions, such as veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson returning after spending time away from Arizona last year, this team's defense looks poised for another strong showing in 2024.

Offensive Strategy Breakdown

The Arizona Cardinals have a dynamic offense led by quarterback Kyler Murray. In the 2024 season, expect to see head coach Kliff Kingsbury continue to utilize his Air Raid system, which heavily relies on passing plays and spreading out defenses with multiple receivers.

Murray's mobility also adds another dimension to the offense as he is able to extend plays with his legs and make throws on the run. Look for running back Chase Edmonds to be utilized in both rushing and receiving roles, providing a versatile option out of the backfield.

One area where the Cardinals may look to improve their offensive strategy is red zone efficiency. Despite having one of the most explosive offenses in 2023, they struggled at times inside opponents' 20-yard lines. Tight end Maxx Williams could play an important role here as a reliable target for Murray.

Overall, if Murray can continue his development as a passer while utilizing his athleticism effectively, this offense has all the tools necessary for success in 2024.

Special Teams Outlook

The Arizona Cardinals' special teams unit has been a mixed bag in recent years. In 2023, the team's kick and punt return units were among the worst in the league, ranking near the bottom of most statistical categories. However, kicker Zane Gonzalez had a solid season, converting on over 90% of his field goal attempts.

Heading into the 2024 season, there are some changes to watch for this group. The Cardinals signed veteran punter Marquette King during free agency to compete with current punter Andy Lee for starting duties. Additionally, they drafted rookie wide receiver/return specialist Rondale Moore out of Purdue University, who could potentially add some much-needed spark to their return game.

If these moves pay off and improvements are made across all aspects of special teams play (including coverage), it could provide a significant boost to Arizona's overall success in close games throughout the upcoming season.

Fan Expectations for 2024

As the Arizona Cardinals head into the 2024 season, fans have high expectations for their team. With a strong roster and promising offseason moves, many are hopeful that this could be the year that they make it to the playoffs.

Fans will be closely watching key players such as quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and newly acquired running back Travis Etienne Jr. They hope these players can lead an explosive offense capable of putting up big numbers against tough opponents.

On defense, fans expect stars like Chandler Jones and Isaiah Simmons to continue making game-changing plays. At the same time, newcomers like cornerback Jaycee Horn bring added depth to an already talented unit.

Overall, fans believe that with solid coaching from Kliff Kingsbury and smart decision-making from general manager Steve Keim in free agency and draft picks - there is no reason why this team cannot compete at a high level in one of football's toughest divisions.

About the author
Benjamin Turner
Benjamin Turner
About

Benjamin Turner is a dedicated writer at a renowned web publication covering American Sports, specifically Football (NFL). With a keen eye for detail and a passion for sports journalism, he brings insightful analysis and engaging content to readers.

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