Ask Odegard: What Does A Successful Season Look Like for the Cardinals?

We blinked, and the offseason ended. Here is my latest mailbag as training camp gets rolling.

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The questions:

“What would make this season a success for the Cardinals?” – Brandon Buckingham

Kyle Odegard: As you are all well aware, I’m a pragmatist, and when a team has +980 odds to make the playoffs I’m basically ruling out a berth before the season. 

So a 2023 success story would be as follows: Kyler Murray returns from his torn ACL and shows flashes of his old self, albeit with less mobility during the recovery phase. He looks like a natural in an offense that caters to his strengths, as Arizona finishes surprisingly strong on that side of the ball.

The defense is a sieve on the defensive interior and at cornerback — two areas that were intentionally left barren — but one or two guys show flashes at edge rusher.

And most importantly: the Cardinals are competitive in a decent amount of games, losing seven by one score, but still finish 5-12 to get the No. 2 overall pick. And, of course, the Texans go 4-13 so the Cardinals end up with both of those selections, which they trade down for a king’s ransom and still get Marvin Harrison, Jr and another elite prospect.

Ahh, that was fun. I feel like I should end the mailbag after one answer.

“The Cardinals are expected to be potentially underwhelming this season (to put it lightly), if they flip the script and find a way to post a .500 or better record does that ruin rebuild plans? Should we as fans be rooting for losses this year in favor of talent and wins upcoming? – Chalupa Batman

KO: Realistically they are going to be terrible, but if you have an option between a .500-plus record and a tank, you’d definitely take the winning season. Just think about it: if Arizona manages to go 9-8 this season, it means a bunch of players stepped up, Kyler played awesome, and Jonathan Gannon/Monti Ossenfort were miracle workers.

Plus, you still have two first-round picks and oodles of cap space for 2024. So go ahead and root for wins early on.

“Why haven’t the Cards cut Ertz? Should be the McBride show.” – Jax

KO: Zach Ertz’s base salary this season is fully guaranteed — thank you, Steve Keim! — so it wouldn’t do any good to cut him. Best-case scenario is a return to form so they can maybe deal him at the trade deadline, though that’s still a longshot. Most likely he gets cut after the season.

“Do you think it’s smart/realistic if Kyler looks to be good to go for week 1 he should play? I know people are saying he should wait but I think if he is absolutely 100% I think he should go! Cards would definitely be more competitive if he plays at the start of the season.” – Rudy Barron

KO: If he is absolutely 100% then sure, play him. It would be great to see him on the field for a full season. But I wouldn’t hold my breath, because there is a higher chance of re-injury on ACLs before the nine-month mark, and that’s the last thing the Cardinals can afford.

“Can either of our rookie cornerbacks be a long term player on our team if so what’s the expectations of said CB?” – Charles Mendoza

KO: I haven’t seen them play yet so I’ll withold judgment, but yeah, that’s the hope. The Cardinals have terrible depth at cornerback and defensive line so any help there from rookies would be huge.

“If Budda shows up to camp and “holds in” what do you expect Monti and JG’s reaction to be? Also, where do you weigh in on Michael Bidwell as an owner?” – Terry Oldham

KO: I think they will try to call his bluff and let it simmer for awhile. If they want to wrap it quickly in the argument for Good Vibes Only, then they could do something like the Giants just did with Saquon Barkley — give Bishard $1 million in incentives on this year’s contract. But they cannot extend him. That’s not an option with where the organization currently sits.

With Dan Snyder gone, Bidwill is realistically a bottom-3 owner in the NFL, based on the organization’s track record of losing, the NFLPA report card, the recent claims by Terry McDonough, etc. Is he the worst? That’s debatable. A few others are in the conversation.

The NFLPA released team report cards based on a survey of 1,300+ players, and the Cardinals were 31st out of 32 teams.

Grades:

Locker Room: F
Treatment of families: F
Food service/Nutrition: F-
Weight Room: F-
Strength Staff: A
Training Room: F-
Training staff: B+
Travel: B+

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) March 1, 2023

“You think the negative vibe around Bidwill has changed with the firing of the old “regime/cronies/yes men” and the hiring of new fresh faces? If it has changed for the better do you think he will revert to his old ways once the honeymoon is over?” – Joe Shmo

KO: I’m not around on the daily anymore so can’t totally speak to it, but things do seem to be improved. Some of the employees can work hybrid on occasion these days and the atmosphere has purportedly gotten better. Hopefully it sticks. Time will tell.

“Do Cards draft Caleb Williams next year if they get the chance” – Tim W.

KO: I appreciate that a Caleb Williams question seems to make every mailbag. If they end up with the No. 1 overall pick it will certainly be a possibility, but we are a long way from determining that.

“Why can’t every sports team owner be committed to winning like @Mishbia15?” – King J

KO: Preach it, brotha. Here’s my recent article on Michael Bidwill needing to take notes from Ish.

Mat Ishbia is the new owner on the block, but Michael Bidwill should be taking notes.https://t.co/MyzrMOlpA1

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) July 5, 2023

“Why is Elon Musk subjecting his midlife crisis on to the rest of us?” – Mikal Bridges

KO: I think it’s more Billionaire’s Disease than midlife crisis, but yeah, stop messing with Twitter, Elon.