3 Cowboys 2023 opponents who got significantly worse this offseason
3. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals might be a candidate for a “tank season” in 2023. Kyler Murray may be back, but his head coach and best receiver will not. Arizona fired Kliff Kingsbury after a 4-13 finish, the worst in the NFC West and hired former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. DeAndre Hopkins has been the talk of trade rumors the whole offseason and it is only a matter of time before he is dealt away.
The Cardinals have had a very boring offseason outside of the Hopkins trade rumors. Their best signings have arguably been plucking linebacker Kyzir White and receiver Zach Pascal from the Eagles. In addition J.J. Watt retired, the team released Robbie Anderson and starters such as Rodney Hudson, Justin Pugh and Markus Golden all became free agents.
Arizona appears to be headed toward a full rebuild around Murray. While Gannon brings an extra boost as a defensive-minded head coach to that side of the ball, can he help elevate Murray? The former number one overall pick has some of the best talent in the league, but being a true leader in the locker room needs to be one of his biggest improvements in 2023.
The Cowboys had their hands full with Murray the last time they faced him in 2021, but that was a far different Cardinal team. With a first-time head coach and lack of offensive weapons for their franchise quarterback, Dallas should not fear this team too much when it comes time to play them.
Things can always change in the NFL but neither of these three teams have improved this offseason. All three have gotten worse and have lost key starters. Trap games always exist, but based on Dallas’ talent and the lack of it on these three teams, all of these games should be wins.
