ARIZONA – The Arizona Cardinals have been eliminated from the playoffs for 2024, a disappointing reality after their 6-4 start to the year.

However, the Cardinals had still taken a significant step in the right direction after Jonathan Gannon’s first season ended with a 4-13 record in 2023.

The progress shown in the offseason gives most reason to hope that the Cardinals can turn things around by 2025.

In Bleacher Report’s ranking of eliminated teams that can bounce back next season, Arizona trails only the San Francisco 49ers out of the list of 13 teams:

“All in all, the Cardinals have taken positive steps forward in 2024. Starting in 2023, they have a chance to double their win total and could even complete their first winning season since 2021 if they can win the final two games of the season,” wrote Alex Ballentine.

“Add to that the fact that they are at the top of the league in terms of caps, and it’s not hard to imagine Monti Ossenfort putting together a squad that can win the NFC West next season. They don’t have any big impending free agents, so they could use that money to make a few tempting offers to a few low-impact agents and take this thing to the next level.”

B/R also listed the biggest obstacles facing Arizona:

“Strengthening the defense will be the hardest part of the offseason. The Cardinals have needs at several key positions. Cornerbacks and edge rushers are the hardest to find, and the Cardinals need new answers at both positions.”

“There are a lot of exciting elements on offense with Kyler Murray throwing the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride behind an offensive line with Paris Johnson Jr., but the Cardinals have put a lot of resources into the offense and need to balance things out.” out of.”

All in all, the Cardinals are in a very good position when it comes to planning for the future.

Even after extensions for Budda Baker and James Conner, the Cardinals have the fourth-most projected effective cap space at $81.4 million, according to OverTheCap.

Combined with owning their first five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cardinals should only improve in the coming months.