The anticipation for the 2023 NFL season is palpable as the teams gear up for a fresh start, and it’s no different for the Arizona Cardinals. However, recent predictions from USA Today have cast a shadow of doubt over the team’s prospects.
After facing a tumultuous 2022 season, marred by injuries and ending at the bottom of the NFC West, the Cardinals have undergone significant changes in their roster and coaching staff during the offseason. As the fourth season under the leadership of Kyler Murray approaches, uncertainties surround the Cardinals’ potential.
Unfortunately, the outlook doesn’t seem to be in favour of the Cardinals. USA Today predicts a dismal 2-15 record for them, making them the team with the worst overall performance in the upcoming season. In contrast, the Las Vegas Raiders are predicted to finish slightly better with a 3-14 record.
Nate Davis, an analyst at USA Today, attributes the dire prediction to the departure of key players Deandre Hopkins and J.J. Watt. The loss of established veterans like them, combined with the team’s undergoing regime change, paints a gloomy picture for the Cardinals. Even the presence of the talented yet volatile quarterback, Kyler Murray, doesn’t seem to inspire confidence after a disappointing four-win season.
Davis further speculates that the Cardinals’ struggles might prove beneficial in the long run. Holding Houston’s first-round pick next year, the team could have an opportunity to secure the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, potentially turning their fortunes around.
If the Cardinals indeed endure a 2-15 record, it will mark their worst season since their relocation to Arizona in 1988. Fans and management alike will be left pondering the team’s direction and how to regain their former glory.
Despite the pessimistic predictions, the Cardinals have a chance to rebuild and refocus their efforts. The upcoming season will be an opportunity for the team to rally around their young talents, mold a cohesive unit, and prove the naysayers wrong.
The 2023 NFL season poses significant challenges for the Arizona Cardinals, but it also presents a chance for redemption and renewal. As the team takes the field, they carry the hopes and expectations of their devoted fans, determined to prove their worth and rise from the ashes of their past struggles.
