The Arizona Cardinals’ rebuild continues after a 4-13 marketing campaign with a full season of a wholesome Kyler Murray at quarterback. Whereas the signal-caller state of affairs is answered, the Cardinals nonetheless have another large selections to make earlier than the beginning of the common season.
Listed below are three of the most important.
1. Prolong Budda Baker?
This is likely to be probably the most urgent query and largest choice that Arizona has to make within the short-term future. Baker is the Cardinals’ greatest defensive participant and one of the crucial impactful defensive backs within the NFL. He’s additionally getting into the ultimate yr of his contract and has needed a brand new deal for a while now. It reached a degree over a yr in the past that he really requested a commerce with out one. As a substitute of giving him an extension, the Cardinals merely gave him a pay elevate for the rest of his contract.
The Cardinals entrance workplace has been quiet on what it’s going to do with Baker, however shedding him could be a reasonably large blow to a rebuilding staff that wants as many leaders and good gamers as it may possibly get.
2. How a lot taking part in time does Trey Benson get?
The Cardinals do have a beginning working again in James Conner, and he’s coming off an excellent season in 2023 that noticed him rush for a career-high 1,040 yards. He’s nonetheless a superb participant, however he’s additionally 29-years-old and has a historical past of lacking time with accidents.
That would open the door for rookie Trey Benson, one of many prime working backs within the 2024 NFL Draft class, to take some taking part in time away from Conner. Operating again is a younger man’s place, and Benson is a excessive sufficient draft decide and adequate expertise that he might be a critical menace to Conner’s carries.
3. Who’s the No. 2 huge receiver?
The Cardinals’ No. 1 huge receiver must be just about set in stone, and it’s going to be No. 4 general decide Marvin Harrison Jr. He has already wowed coaches and teammates within the early phases of coaching camp and offseason actions, and he has an opportunity to be a franchise-changing participant. The Cardinals even have a rising star in tight finish Trey McBride. The 2 of them can be Murray’s go-to targets within the passing sport.
However they can not do it alone. The No. 2 spot is prone to come right down to Michael Wilson and veteran free-agent signing Zay Jones. Jones caught simply 34 passes in 9 video games for the Jaguars a yr in the past however is only one yr faraway from catching 82 balls. Wilson caught 38 passes as a rookie through the 2023 season.
