Arizona Cardinals listed among NFL teams that could make a lot of noise in 2024 offseason
Arizona Cardinals fans continue to hold out hope that a turnaround is on the horizon for their team after consecutive 4-13 seasons.
Could the team take a big step forward in 2024 and leave the past two disappointing seasons in the rearview mirror?
A new ranking from USA TODAY Sports might just increase fans' expectations for Arizona's NFL franchise this season.
USA TODAY Sports ranked "10 NFL teams positioned to make major progress during 2024 offseason" and the Arizona Cardinals were on the list.
And they were even toward the top.
Nate Davis had the Cardinals at No. 3 in his ranking, where he listed "10 squads perched to make a lot of noise over the next few months," only behind the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders.
Of Arizona's outlook this offseason, he wrote: "With more than $41 million in projected cap space, second-year GM Monti Ossenfort should be in business given his roster is badly in need of reinforcements. But expect him to primarily be in draft-and-develop mode, the Cards seemingly positioned to take the draft’s top non-quarterback (and perhaps best player overall) – maybe Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.? – before selecting again 27th and 35th overall. Ossenfort, who showed himself as a willing on-the-clock wheeler dealer last year, also owns three choices in the third round. A team that seemed to maximize its limited talent in 2023 should have a lot more to work with in 2024."
Arizona fans will take it.
The USA TODAY Sports story helps give Cardinals fans hope, something they really need after struggling through some very hard times the past couple of years.
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More hope for Arizona Cardinals in 2024
Davis isn't the only writer to think that the Cardinals could be much improved soon.
The Sporting News recently wrote that Arizona should be considered a "playoff sleeper" in 2024.
Sportsnaut described the future of the Cardinals as "bright," writing that "youth comes with growing pains but it will provide a bright future, too."
ESPN also mentioned playoffs and the Cardinals in 2024, writing "adding the right players -- not necessarily a lot of players -- could project the Cardinals into the playoff conversation next season."
Even odds seem to be a little kinder to the Cardinals in 2024, with recent Super Bowl 59 odds from BetMGM Sportsbook having the Cardinals listed at +8000 to win the title next season, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
Arizona is ahead of six teams: The Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers.
Not bad for the Cardinals considering the team was given the longest odds to win Super Bowl 58 at the end of the 2022-23 season (+15000).
Head coach Jonathan Gannon, after being ranked as the worst coach in the NFL before last season, is tied for 12th with the Detroit Lions' Dan Campbell in odds to be the NFL's Coach of the Year.
Yes, things appear to be looking up for Arizona in 2024.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals in position for big 2024 NFL offseason
