Four Questions Cardinals Must Answer in Training Camp
In year one of the Jonathan Gannon/Monti Ossenfort era of Arizona Cardinals football, there is no shortage of questions we need answers to in 2023 - particularly questions we must have answered by the end of training camp.
With positional battles set to take place, as well as a massive rookie class joining the team, we have many uncertainties facing the team in 2023. But this could also be a blessing in disguise, as some of the answers to these questions could lay the ground work for the team for the future.
Here, we discuss four questions that standout more than any others we may have for the team, but more importantly, these questions must be answered by the end of training camp. Without further ado, let's discuss these four questions.
Who is the primary backup/emergency starting quarterback?
Kyler Murray is widely expected to miss at least some sort of playing time in 2023 as he recovers from an ACL tear. This means that the backup/emergency starting quarterback spot will be more important for the Cardinals than it has been in several years.
The Cardinals will have four quarterbacks entering camp not named Kyler Murray to audition for significant roles with the team.
Veterans Colt McCoy and David Blough saw action for the team last season in relief for Murray. Jeff Driskel was brought in through free agency to push these guys. Finally, rookie Clayton Tune was hyper-productive at Houston and could be the most exciting option of the four.
Whatever happens with Murray, it will be beyond important that his backup shows they are worthy of being starters in his relief. With three veterans and a rookie, there is no shortage of options here, but by the end of camp, we have to know who will get the nod in week one should Murray be sidelined like we believe he will be.
Which rookies will be major contributors in year one?
With nine incoming rookies and several undrafted free agents, the Cardinals will have no shortage of competition throughout the roster and youth to push some veterans. But with that in mind, what are the expectations for these guys?
The cream of the crop from this class is number six overall pick Paris Johnson Jr.
The former Ohio State Buckeye has experience throughout the offensive line and could find himself a starting role at either tackle spot or inside at guard.
Second-round pick BJ Ojulari will compete for a prominent role as an edge rusher and others like wide receiver Michael Wilson and cornerback Garrett Williams will have an opportunity for significant playing time as well. The aforementioned Tune could also be the main backup quarterback for the team.
We will be watching each of these players throughout camp to see how they perform and their respective performances could show us what their roles for 2023 are. The Cardinals could have several rookie starters or none entering the year and camp will be where we answer this question.
How Will Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins Adjust to New Positions
Simmons and Collins are entering training camp with very little guaranteed to them and will have a lot to prove under a new staff that has no loyalties to either of them.
Both linebackers are former first-round picks at the position, but they enter their fourth and third seasons respectively with new positions to master. Simmons himself said he will be permanently playing with the defensive secondary and Collins is transitioning to an outside linebacker for the team.
How will each adjust to their new homes?
What will be the expectations for Gannon/Ossenfort in year one?
This question will be one we will measure throughout the 2023 season, as there is no clear and definitive right/wrong answer for the team. However, we will get our first glimpse of a baseline in training camp.
The Jonathan Gannon/Monti Ossenfort era will be met with grace for the first and perhaps second years of their tenure with the Cardinals. But with that being said, what we expect from the team will become established from what we see in camp.
If the Cardinals come out of camp looking like a good team, we may expect a close-to-.500 record. If they look as bad as we believe, they may have no expectations whatsoever. Regardless, we will begin to answer this question during camp.
