ARIZONA — Last season, the Arizona Cardinals managed only four wins against thirteen losses, yet as we look into 2024, expectations are growing that this team could witness notable improvements. According to ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell, the Cardinals are among five NFL teams poised for better performance in the upcoming season. He attributes much of this potential turnaround to quarterback Kyler Murray’s return from a torn ACL. With Murray at the helm, the Cardinals showed improvement, posting a record of 3-5 compared to a dismal 1-8 without him.

Barnwell stresses, however, that the Cardinals’ potential resurgence isn’t solely dependent on Murray’s performance. He points out, for example, the necessity for improvements beyond just stability at quarterback, which other teams like the Jets are also expected to experience with the return of Aaron Rodgers. For Arizona, enhancing the roster depth and addressing defensive frailties are equally critical.

Looking deeper into team specifics, Barnwell notes significant changes particularly within the defensive lineup. The loss of BJ Ojulari to an ACL injury is a setback, yet acquisitions like Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, and first-round pick Darius Robinson are bolstering the defensive front, which was overly porous last season. In the secondary, investments such as acquiring Sean Murphy-Bunting and drafting young talents like Garrett Williams, Max Melton, and Elijah Jones, are steps to rejuvenate a historically weak cornerback group.

Despite the freshness brought into the defensive line and the promising young cornerbacks, there remains a gap in edge rushing capabilities, as highlighted by the loss of Ojulari. Nevertheless, the conversation often circles back to the offensive improvements tied to Murray’s leadership.

Offensively, the Cardinals saw a dramatic improvement with Murray back, moving from 28th to 10th in offensive efficiency metrics. With wide receivers like Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch stepping up amid injuries to others, and the addition of potential standout Marvin Harrison Jr., the receiving corps looks promising. The offensive line is also seeing upgrades, with Paris Johnson Jr. shifting to left tackle and newcomer Jonah Williams taking over on the right side, anticipated to be the strongest lineup in recent years.

Although there is cautious optimism around these enhancements, especially with the addition of Evan Brown at left guard, the Cardinals’ true test will be translating these offseason adjustments into wins. The team is positioned to potentially contend for a wild-card spot if all goes as planned. They now need to demonstrate that they can meet these heightened expectations.