One preseason week left. By next mailbag, we will be a mere hours from final cutdown. Questions have been edited for length and clarity. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.

From Josiah Aguilar:

"Hi Darren. We have seen three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes play in preseason games, so is it fair to question why Kyler is not playing? I hope they don't think he's some established franchise QB who doesn't need the reps. On the contrary, it seems this is a prove-it year for Kyler and he needs all the reps he can get. And on a side note, I love Marvin always pushing to play yet we rarely hear Kyler demanding to play. If he raised his hand and said 'I need the reps' wouldn't he get them?"

You are not the only one wondering about who is playing and who is not, but to me, this is pretty overblown. I would hope there is not one person thinking the Chiefs won those Super Bowls because Mahomes is playing in the preseason. I mean, last year was a bumpy one offensively for the Chiefs all year -- so why didn't the preseason reps translate then? As for Kyler, he has been in the league for five seasons and has played (and started) 65 games. Are we really saying he doesn't understand what it takes to play regular-season games? Again, I'm not saying he couldn't get some benefit from it, but I don't see how/why people think it'll break his season. You say Marvin was "always pushing to play." He said it once in a press conference. Kyler said it too in his press conference. If the coaches don't want to do it -- and Gannon does not, and it's probably almost all for health protection -- then they aren't going to do it.

From Matthew Stroh:

"Hey Darren, thank you for putting up with fans like me. Thank you for the mailbag. Saturday was not the best game since Gannon took over. I know a lot of fan stress a lot about every decision made. I like where the team is heading. But I want to ask. As a fan I see the difference in the team as a whole since Monti Ossenfort came in. I know he was the first outside GM hire ever or in a long time, right? Do you see a big difference between the old ways and now? Do you believe the team can be in a place where we can make more stable and long-term competitive teams year to year?"

He was the first outside GM hired in decades. There is a major difference between the "old" way and the "new" way but right now, all it is is a difference. There are different ways to have success. That said, Ossenfort is trying to build out something that can have lasting success. The goal is, of course, to have long-term competitive team. I do think they seem to be headed that way -- but before they can have long-term benefits, they have to have a winning year to begin with. Let's see the strides they make in 2024.

From Danny Shannon:

"Despite the fact all of the starters were sitting vs the Colts, I noticed Starling Thomas did play. Does that suggest anything? If he's not the No. 2 (or No. 3) CB then who is? And if he is No. 2 or 3, why is he playing?"

Some guys still need reps. Roy Lopez could start and he played the first game (and sat in Indy because he was banged up and the Cardinals were being cautious.) Thomas still could be No. 3. The only cornerbacks who didn't play were Murphy-Bunting and Garrett Williams. Everyone else, like Thomas, Max Melton, and Kei'Trel Clark played (and Thomas only played 12 snaps, so enough to get a sweat up but not so many that you are extending his risk.)

From Corey Miller:

"Urbz! Football is back! Got some quicks for you:

1. Any chance Xavier Thomas gets some starter reps Sunday? What could it hurt? Pass rush is a huge need and he's looked really good.
2. Any chance they cut Ridder and bring in a new 3rd QB?
3. Why is Zaven not playing in preseason? Despite being anointed pass rusher No. 1 and getting an extension for unknown reasons, he's not actually performed as a top pass rusher yet.
4. JG has an annoying habit of not using replay challenges. Last year, he notoriously only challenged once all season. Against the Saints, he had a chance to challenge a potential drop by NO, but he didn't. Have you asked about that?
5. Come cuts, do we bring in a star veteran pass rusher or are we staying in-house?"

Some quicks answer-wise:

1. No, I don't think he starts. He'll get plenty of playing time, however. Reps are more important than who is out there for the first snap of the game.
2. My expectation is that the Cardinals have two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. That means one has to be on the practice squad, because you need at least a third. If Ridder ends up losing the QB2 job to Tune, I would guess they would try to get him to the practice squad, but I would not rule out someone not on the team right now.
3. Collins isn't playing in the preseason for the same reason all of the starters are not playing, and a big part of that is keeping them healthy. Your question here is pretty loaded; I don't recall anyone "anointing" him as the top pass rusher -- if anyone, it was Ojulari that had that expectation -- and I wrote about why they extended him.
4. I can't recall asking about it specifically, but he would challenge if he thought he should. He's got a system in place to let him know what he should challenge and I can't recall any times last year when he didn't challenge and it obviously would have been overturned. Why waste a timeout just to challenge a play you think you'll lose?
5. If you know of a "star" pass rusher who will be available through cuts, let me know. If you are asking if they sign a player who has a name you recognize, I don't think it's a guarantee. The guys out there don't seem to interest them (or are pricing themselves out of a chance.)

From Justin Aureluio:

"Hi Darren. I read your practice reports with the Colts. In fact I read all your reports of every camp practice. What can I say, I'm a football junkie. I can sincerely say I'm not a pessimist, nor a negative nancy. But something that's been irking me, and your Indy reports didn't help was that 'Kyler is not on the same page as his WRs' was a common headline and we've seen it for five years. What's the problem? Can he not see over the line?"

I used that phrase once in Indy that I recall, the final 11-on-11 play for Kyler in the rain when he and Michael Wilson didn't match up. Not on that play in particular, but I've found the QB and pass catcher "not on the same page" is not about the physical but the two didn't have the same catch point in mind. For example, when Wilson ran the wrong route in Philadelphia and it turned into a Pick-6. It has nothing to do with Kyler's height. And let me make clear -- every QB in the league has times when they aren't on the same page as the receiver. Not everyone is gonna flip a behind-the-back pass in response.

From John Tharp:

"I think James Conner and Budda Baker deserve everything they receive. Great players and great role models. Unfortunately, I do not think the Cards will re-sign both of them and very likely neither guy. I see two players who will be high demand, will be offered sizable contracts, and will be 29-30 years old. With the additions of Rabbit and Trey Benson it may not make the most sense to match the high contracts. I hope I am wrong and both guys stay in AZ. Hopefully the Cards can be in the ballpark with their offers. Was wondering your and the fans' thoughts?"

I think there is still much to be determined on that front. Conner plays at a position that overall has a tough time in free agency. Safeties kind of also moved in that direction overall. I don't know what markets will be there. I don't know what the Cardinals will want to do, or how the discussions might go. I think they took Benson and Taylor-Demerson both out of need now -- they both can fill important roles as is -- but yes, they serve as a hedge for the future. That said, I agree both Conner and Baker are the heartbeats of their respective sides of the ball. That also plays a factor in what can be a cutthroat business.

From Juan de la Peña:

"Hi Darren. This is more of a personal question so if you dont wanna reply I understand. But I'm in Argentina and it's very difficult for me to watch the Cardinals' games in full, live. Do you know of any services that you can recommend that work outside of the USA? Thank you very much."

Juan, you are a regular. Of course I'm going to answer. Hopefully it works. I know there is Game Pass International, to which you can go here. I am hoping that would suit your needs. (Anyone dropping an illegal feed in the comments is going to get deleted and banned, just FYI for everyone else.)

From Andy S:

"Is Sean Murphy-Bunting's starter role guaranteed? He's the veteran of the room and signed big-ish money in FA, but it's not like he is a proven star. Would it cause problems to demote him to CB2 or even move him to the bench if necessary? I'm not rooting for him to fail or anything. I just have the same questions with Jonah Williams. Yes, a FA acquisition, but not a 'star.' Everyone should earn their job, no?"

I wouldn't say guaranteed. But he's going to start, at least at first. He and Garrett Williams are the top two cornerbacks and I don't see that changing before the regular season. Williams too; the only other person who might be in there is Kelvin Beachum. I think the Cards are still getting Max Melton up to speed and I don't see Thomas or Clark supplanting SMB; in fact, most plays they will have three cornerbacks and SMB is definitely in that group. But Gannon and Rallis aren't gifting anyone anything for a season. If someone makes more sense in the lineup, I have no doubt they'd make a move.

From Robert Burns:

"No. 1: Why the heck there are no longer comments allowed on the Cardinals website ... in particular your posts? Seems to me you guys don't like the criticism so you just don't allow the fans to post comments.

No. 2: I am sooooo sick of the mind numbing dumb trades the Cardinals keep making and the MEDIA people and broadcasters, and people who write like you DEFEND THESE STUPID TRADES. Like why in would they trade an incredible receiver like Rondale Moore for a third-string QB who is NEVER GOING TO START OR BE A BACKUP?"

Lotta there, there, Robert. You need to take a deep breath.

No. 1: I have no earthly idea what you mean about not allowing comments, since there are a bunch of them on every article. So perhaps you need to revisit this? (I mean, you don't have to, but you are incorrect.)

No. 2: Moore was not going to be on this team. Greg Dortch was going to get his role. They decided it made sense to try and find a QB2 possibility and both teams would benefit. As it turns out, I'm not sure Ridder wins a job, but they took a shot. Again, you may see Moore as incredible, but I do not think he was going to make this roster. They are willing to have one small receiver, and Dortch outplayed him last season. Also, what other trades are you so angry about? Then again, why are you so angry period?

From Jayson W:

"First I would like to say how much I enjoy your Cardinals Underground with Dani and Paul. Each if you contribute an equal amount to show, with different thoughts and perspectives. Keep up the great show. My question: After seeing a lot of action from WR Dan Chisena on offense vs the Saints, l never saw him on offense vs, Colts, just on special teams. What is his status?"

Chisena only played two snaps on special teams early in the game. I think he might've gotten banged up with so few snaps, and since he wouldn't have played on offense until later in the game, that would explain his situation.

From Tom Cowley:

"Hi Darren. We do need Haason Reddick but the Jets don't seem anxious to consider a deal for him. Maybe they will later. What is your take on that possibility? What a needed boost that would be for our EDGE need. Thanks."

As I noted last week, while I can never say never, I would not expect such a move. Reddick turns 30 next month and the contract is a factor. (I also think the Jets would like to make it work, since there is no way they will recoup what they traded for him at this point.)

From Gary Bowman:

"Hi Darren. Not sure if you saw, but it looks like Markus Golden is retiring. The Steelers put him on their injured/retired list. I know he wasn't a superstar or anything, but I feel very strongly that Golden should get a ceremonial retire-as-a-Cardinal contract and retirement presser here in AZ. He would appreciate it. The fans would appreciate it. The guy is everything you want in a football player and it was a pleasure to watch him play. I know he has no connection to the current GM or coaching staff, so it might take someone to nudge. Perhaps a sticky note on Michael's door, I don't know. Just spitballin'."

I was aware of it and noted it on social media. Not sure the retirement presser would ever happen, but on my list of top guys I enjoyed covering in my 25 years around this team, he would definitely qualify. A younger Golden is exactly the kind of player Jonathan Gannon would want on his roster.

From Drew Lesley:

"You know what I was thinking about Darren -- why is preseason football so terrible? I mean really stop to think about it, it is actually surprising. Here you have a collection of former star college players (and yes, the 53rd guy on your roster was a star in college) who are all fighting for their football lives tooth and nail. So why is it so bad? I don't get it. I understand some drop-off from the starters, but shouldn't backups in the preseason still be as at least competent as a college team? We see great college games all the time full of comparatively inferior talent. So what's the logic to why we never see good preseason games?"

There are a couple of things here. To start with, I'd hesitate to say every single guy trying to make it in the NFL was a "star" in college. Obviously they were better than everyone else, but not everyone was a star. Also, just because you did great on that level -- against mostly players who aren't good enough for the NFL -- doesn't mean your level translates up. Next I'd say that football is a game of cohesion. There are 11 players on the field that better all be on the same page. You're asking guys that get limited practice reps (because the starters, the players who aren't playing in preseason) to come together and work smoothly. Even if they didn't all work together in practice necessarily. Throw in the fact there is little gameplanning happening, and make no mistake, a lot of the cool things that happen in the regular season comes from gameplanning an opponent. That's not happening here.

I've pontificated on that longer than I expected. But just like the Olympic basketball team didn't look like it had enough chemistry in their pre-Olympic games, players in this situation just aren't put in the best positions to create a "good" preseason game.