Welcome back to the mailbag.
Yes, the season is only two weeks old, and there are some Giants-Cards questions in here, but I wanted to start by talking about my favorite subject: the 2024 offseason.
While the draft has the constant buzz, the Cardinals could also be major players in free agency. So let’s get into it.
“Could Cards afford a FA contract for Chris Jones this offseason? Are there other DT’s that may come available?” – Ryan Holmes
Kyle Odegard: Yes, the Cardinals could definitely afford Jones in free agency because they will have oodles of cap room, and I like the idea of overpaying a bit for elite talent. Jones will be 30 next year but is so good that he may command something like a three-year, $90 million deal.
Should the Cardinals be in that mix? Well, it depends if it’s Kyler Murray or a rookie at quarterback.
If Murray is the guy, then I could see Monti Ossenfort aggressively pursuing someone like Jones to give a huge facelift to the defensive line and kickstart the path to competitiveness. We know he wants to build up the trenches, and what better way than to get one of the best interior defensive linemen in football?
But if the Cardinals draft Caleb Williams or another prospect, then Jones doesn’t really fit the timeline because he will likely be falling off by the time they start making a playoff push.
“We all were joking about it yesterday, but (somewhat) seriously, is the fix in here? Did the phone ring on the sideline during the third quarter yesterday to get the tank train back on the rails? Is that even in the realm of possibility? Thanks and I’ll hang up and listen.” – Noah Austin
KO: As much as I throw around the word ‘tank,’ there is none of that going on. The Cardinals were at a talent disadvantage against the Giants and it eventually caught up to them. There was a good bit of tanking going on throughout the offseason, but the players and coaches that are there now desperately want to win.
“Who would you pin this loss on? A. Marco Wilson B. The defense not getting a stop C. Prater missing a FG D. Offense flaming out in the 4Q?” – Stephen B. Smith
KO: A lot of it is on Marco. He got roasted in the second half. The pass-rush was also quite ineffective.
“How do you put the frustration aside knowing we are tanking this season when the games are winnable?” — Tino
KO: I’m not going to tell you guys to put frustration aside. I watch the Cardinals from a disconnected standpoint but understand there are many very passionate fans who want to see this team win every week. So when games like Sunday happen, I’m sure it’s a tough pill to swallow.
That being said, a win or loss against the Giants would not have materially affected the end result this season. And the toss-up losses go a long way in keeping Arizona in the running for the No. 1 overall pick. So while it stung on Sunday, it was unquestionably a good result for a potential path back to prominence. There were also some positive things to take away from the game that could be carried into the future.
The Cardinals are done attacking horizontally. Drew Petzing's offense is ground-and-pound with play-action shots.
It's a beautiful thing to see — especially knowing Kyler Murray should fit it like a glove.https://t.co/z29nMOubL0
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) September 18, 2023
“What’s going on with Chandler Jones and Larry Fitzgerald now?” – CardinalsUpdate
KO: I’m not sure, and while I know Chandler has put some of it on social media, I’m not interested in veering into personal-life conjecture. That’s their business.
“In back to back weeks we saw the Cardinals show flashes on offense and surprisingly strong defense (sorta). Two weeks into the season, who is a bright spot on each side of the ball you were not expecting?” – Chalupa Batman
KO: I’ll do two on each side of the ball since they came to mind. On defense, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with third-year outside linebacker Victor Dimukeje, as well as new safety K’Von Wallace. They might not be superstars but they have come in and given the team a nice lift.
On offense it’s the tight ends. Zach Ertz looks much better than I would have guessed coming off a torn ACL at his age. While Ertz isn’t exactly an athletic dynamo any longer, he has great hands and a knack for getting open. I also like what I’ve seen from Trey McBride, who is a very willing blocker and may be emerging into a playmaker on offense.
“Do you think Kyler will actually play this year? What game, if any do you think the cards get their first W?” – Connor
“When will K1 be back?” – The Anchor Man
KO: Yep, he will be back this year. Not sure when yet. My guess on the first win: on the road against the Browns after a, gulp, 0-8 start.
“Caleb Williams? Or K1 with Bowers + Harrison Jr?” – J
KO: How about K1 + Marvin Harrison, Jr. plus a trade down for extra picks?
“Any update on the infrastructure of the Cardinals vs last year’s nflpa survey? Are we still improving? What have we upgraded?” – Christoph Garner
“Looks like they added a daycare / playplace for the player’s families and kids, what other changes have been made?” -Barry M
KO: From what I’ve heard they have made some changes, yes. Upgraded amenities for players’ families, a new floor in the gym. And I don’t think players are being charged for food any more.
How does it feel that we have a franchise tackle for most likely 10 years in pjj?” – Charles Mendoza
KO: Feels pretty good. I’m hoping Paris Johnson gets some reps against Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa over the next two weeks. If he holds his own, I’ll be ready to put him in the Ring of Honor.
Paris Johnson has looked really good through two games, and now he gets the ultimate test: Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa in back-to-back games.
If you think he’s nervous, don’t forget the comments he made about these matchups over the summer.https://t.co/haOHnOM6Q3
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) September 19, 2023
“Top defensive line prospects? The top 3 to 4 in the rotation have been showing well early, but now with Collier, Fotu, and potentially Watkins out, we can’t compete. I think this was the biggest issue in the 2nd half yesterday, followed by playcalling and the 1st 3 and out.” – Jarrod Reese
KO: I don’t know anything about the 2024 defensive line prospects but here is what google said: Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton, LSU’s Maason Smith and Michigan’s Kris Jenkins are good at football.
Maybe the Cardinals nab one of them in April to help build up the interior.
“Are we potentially going to lose our first round pick, because of inept owner debacle with Kiem and other things we don’t talk about much anymore. Is that on the table?” – Felix
KO: I don’t think that stuff will result in the loss of a first-round pick. Maybe a mid-rounder.
“NFL star Xavien Howard allegedly got 4 women pregnant at the same time…what are the odds?” – JJ
KO: Yeahhhh that’s not the type of parlay I write about.
