The 2022 season has not been what anyone hoped to see from the Cardinals. They have looked like a franchise on the verge of an organization-wide rebuild, not the talented team that was expected to put up 10+ wins this season.
With three games left in the season, the Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention, been decimated by a number of injuries and their general manager is nowhere to be seen. It looks pretty bleak for the team and it leaves many fans wondering what to expect from these last three games. Here’s what to look for:
Cardinals Trying Out for Next Season
There are a number of players that the Cards will have to make a decision on in the offseason. That is, whether to bring them back or let them go. However, there are some players who could benefit from solid play through the end of the season and if they impress enough, could be getting a call to come back next year.
Players like A.J. Green, Robbie Anderson, and Cody Ford, are just a few players who the Cards could choose to bring back to receive another opportunity in some capacity next year. For this to happen, however, they will need to make some big plays and show some promise through the end of the season.
The Backup QB Situation
Because of the season-ending injury to franchise quarterback, Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have had to look to veterans Colt McCoy and Trace McSorley to lead the stuttering offense in the last few games. This past Sunday, McCoy suffered a concussion during the loss to the Broncos and will be unable to go this week versus the Buccaneers. This has paved the way for the Cardinals to start Trace McSorley this Sunday and, if all goes well, he could potentially start the rest of the season.
Despite throwing two interceptions and no touchdown passes, McSorely will be given a full week of first team reps and some time to mesh with the receivers. McSorley will make his first NFL start and has the chance to be “the guy” if he plays a solid game on Sunday. Although McSorley was the third-string quarterback all season, many forget his solid play before the season even began during the Cardinals’ 3 preseason games. Hopefully, he can recapture some of that same magic this Sunday. However, the fact remains that McCoy is 36 years old and although he is a veteran with plenty of NFL experience, he may choose to retire after this season. Not to mention, if Murray hasn’t healed from his injury by then the Cardinals will need to call upon someone to lead the offseason for the beginning of the 2023 season. If that’s the case, the Cardinals should use these last few games to determine who the most reliable backup could be next season.
The Coaching Staff
This is a very popular subject, especially amongst Cardinals fans, as many community-wide want to see turnover along the sideline. Kingsbury has not made the jump that many expected him to from years prior and if he can’t pull something good together these last three games, he and his staff may be on their way out the door. The speculation has been brewing for weeks and Kingsbury has not been able to coach a squad that was considered very talented before the season.
His lack of executing critical play-calling and knowledge of situational football has led to his downfall over his second half season collapses the past few years. Not to mention, the abysmal Cardinals’ home record during Kingsbury’s tenure as head coach has also played a factor into this narrative. While it is possible Kingsbury may be out as head coach after this season, it is worth noting that there is also a possibility that he and his staff are retained if the Cardinals hire an internal candidate for their general manager position, assuming Keim does not come back.
Kingsbury could save his job for one more year if he shows some promise through the end of the season.
