The coach remains the same, as will the quarterback. That's a good place to start for any team, and a good place to start for the Cardinals given the last couple Januarys of upheaval.
But that doesn't mean there is a ton of work to get done, especially after a 5-10-1 season and another spot in the top 10 in the draft.
"I have a great plan in place for the offseason and I'm very excited in fixing things in all the areas where I think we need to fix and I'm very excited about the future," General Manager Steve Keim said last month. "I don't think there is any question we've identified a franchise quarterback, a guy who can put this team on his back and take us extremely far in the future."
The Cardinals will have an estimated (by overthecap.com) $65 million in cap space and that No. 8 overall selection in the draft.
With the season coming to a close, azcardinals.com writer Darren Urban gives his personal take on the majority of the Cardinals' roster heading into the offseason. UFA is unrestricted free agent. RFA is restricted free agent (and whose movement can be controlled with a tender offer, which gives right of first refusal). ER is exclusive rights, meaning a player must accept a tender offer.
Free agency figures to play a big role in how the roster evolves for next season, given all the free-agents-to-be. Comments are for today and the future for any particular player could be fluid.
| QUARTERBACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Drew Anderson | 2020 | Gets another offseason to show what he's got |
| Brett Hundley | *UFA* | Solid in his two late-season relief efforts, makes sense as backup |
| Kyler Murray | 2022 | Sure looks like Cards have QB for long-term |
| RUNNING BACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Kenyan Drake | *UFA* | Mutual interest in return, now the numbers must line up |
| Chase Edmonds | 2021 | Injury derailed his chance to show he could be the "guy" |
| D.J. Foster | *UFA* | Injuries messed up a second straight season |
| David Johnson | 2021 | Where he spends his future is one of offseason's main storylines |
| WIDE RECEIVERS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Damiere Byrd | *UFA* | Mild surprise has earned his chance to stay in the mix |
| Hakeem Butler | 2022 | Has the physical tools but after missing rookie year, has much to prove |
| Pharoh Cooper | *UFA* | Solid return man and turned into key receiver too |
| Larry Fitzgerald | *UFA* | Had fun, still productive, returning for a 17th season makes sense |
| Andy Isabella | 2022 | Cardinals have to find a way to get 2nd-round pick going next season |
| KeeSean Johnson | 2022 | Fast start, mostly inactive finish means there is still learning curve |
| Christian Kirk | 2021 | When healthy, has shown he can be very good in this offense |
| Trent Sherfield | 2020 | Has developed into excellent special teamer |
| TIGHT ENDS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Arnold | 2020 | Whether as a TE or taller WR, flashed some nice high-point catching skills |
| Charles Clay | *UFA* | Helped when he was healthy, but Cards might want to get younger |
| Darrell Daniels | 2021 | Served fine as a reserve and on special teams |
| Maxx Williams | 2021 | Contract extension shows what Cards think of him |
| OFFENSIVE LINE | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Mason Cole (G/C) | 2021 | Filled in at guard, center, tackle, wide receiver -- can he find a starting role? |
| Lamont Gaillard (G/C) | 2022 | Team hopeful he can be a versatile piece in 2020 |
| Max Garcia (G) | *UFA* | Will be interesting to see if they want to bring him back |
| Marcus Gilbert (T) | *UFA* | Was playing well before ACL tear; Cards might want to get younger |
| D.J. Humphries (T) | *UFA* | The market will pay him. How do the Cards feel about it? |
| Joshua Miles (T) | 2022 | Will try to find a place on the roster |
| Jordan Mills (T) | *UFA* | Without his injury, might've had chance to be right tackle |
| Justin Murray (T) | ER | Improved as year went on and is a guy worth keeping |
| Justin Pugh (G) | 2022 | Stayed healthy, played solid football |
| A.Q. Shipley (C) | *UFA* | Started 16 games after a season lost to knee. Leader on, off field. Would like to return |
| J.R. Sweezy (G) | 2020 | Solid free-agent pickup in playing all 16 games |
| Brett Toth (T) | 2021 | Cards see him as potential, and a project |
| DEFENSIVE LINE | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Zach Allen | 2022 | Cards counting on him being a key piece in 2020 |
| Miles Brown | 2021 | Made some strides as an undrafted rookie |
| Jonathan Bullard | *UFA* | Could return in a depth role |
| Michael Dogbe | 2022 | Raw talent that still needs work |
| Rodney Gunter | *UFA* | Will take another run at the open market |
| Zach Kerr | *UFA* | Made some plays down the stretch |
| Clinton McDonald | *UFA* | Older vet who is likely to move on |
| Corey Peters | 2020 | Unit's anchor needs some help around him |
| Caraun Reid | *UFA* | Late-season pickup likely ends up elsewhere |
| LINEBACKERS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Keishawn Bierria | 2020 | Late-season addition will try to find spot in offseason |
| Vontarrius Dora | 2020 | Keeps finding a way to end up back on roster |
| Kylie Fitts | 2020 | Got some tape for Cardinals to consider moving forward |
| Dennis Gardeck | 2020 | Has become key part of special teams |
| Jordan Hicks | 2022 | Stayed healthy, good season, great leader, excellent FA signing |
| Chandler Jones | 2021 | Deserves to be in discussion for Defensive POY |
| Cassius Marsh Sr. | *UFA* | Could potentially return as depth |
| Haason Reddick | 2020 | Trying OLB as he goes into his last chance to secure a role |
| Brooks Reed | *UFA* | Stint in the desert didn't turn out as anyone hoped |
| Ezekiel Turner | 2020 | Like Gardeck, has become excellent on special teams |
| Joe Walker | *UFA* | Filled role admirably but the Cards will look at ILB upgrade |
| DEFENSIVE BACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Alford (CB) | 2021 | Lost season to broken leg; Cards still hoping he's the answer at No. 2 |
| Budda Baker (S) | 2020 | Broke out in his first Pro Bowl season |
| Chris Banjo (S) | *UFA* | Became a solid backup, could have earned a chance to stick around |
| Andre Chachere (CB) | 2020 | Will try to see if he can break into depth chart |
| Jalen Davis (CB) | 2020 | See above |
| Chris Jones (CB) | 2020 | Cardinals needed to play him, he showed some flashes |
| Byron Murphy (CB) | 2022 | Up-and-down rookie season should be calmed with move to slot |
| Kevin Peterson (CB) | RFA | Helped give the Cardinals a little depth |
| Patrick Peterson (CB) | 2020 | Tumultuous year ended with excellent stretch. After everything, his spot for 2020 and beyond bears watching |
| Deionte Thompson (S) | 2022 | Inactive at end but the hope is that he can help in TE coverage in 2020 |
| Jalen Thompson (S) | 2022 | Rookie trended up and has inside track at a starting job |
| Charles Washington (S) | RFA | Helped bolster special teams |
| Brandon Williams (CB) | *UFA* | Missed year with injury, his time in Arizona figures to be ending |
| SPECIALISTS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Brewer (LS) | 2021 | You never notice him and that's a good thing |
| Zane Gonzalez (K) | RFA | Had a Pro Bowl-type season and deserves new deal |
| Andy Lee (P) | 2020 | Quietly continues to punt well even at his age |
