Here’s a look at the Super Bowl prospects of the Arizona Cardinals, who finished the season 7-8-1:
Cardinals’ Super Bowl barometer: Should contend, but there are question marks.
Assessing the foundation: From an on-field perspective, a Cardinals' run to Super Bowl LII will depend on their two most important pieces: wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Carson Palmer. Neither has confirmed his decision to play next season, leaving an outside possibility the Cardinals may have to return to the drawing board to rebuild the core of their roster. If they do come back, with David Johnson for a third straight season, the offense will be in position to contend for a Super Bowl. However, the difference between Arizona having a season like 2015, when it went 13-3, and like 2016, when it went 7-8-1, will be how well the Cardinals’ front office rebounds from the off year. None of the Cardinals’ draft picks last season played a significant role, a reflection of general manager Steve Keim. Another miss on an entire draft class could hamper a run at NFC West and NFC championships next season. Keim also will have the pressure of fixing Arizona’s special teams, most notably finding a new punter and long snapper. Kicker Chandler Catanzaro could also be on the hot seat. However, the most important cog in the Cardinals returning to the level of a Super Bowl contender will be coach Bruce Arians. While Arizona’s 7-8-1 record isn't all on on him -- he didn’t miss three potential game-winning kicks or five in a stretch of seven -- his inability to transition to an intermediate passing game earlier than Week 6 was one reason the Cardinals lost three of their first four.
Judging the quarterback: He may be 37, but Palmer didn’t finish the season playing like a quarterback ready to hang up his cleats. For everything he had to overcome last season with the Cardinals’ offense -- the ineffectiveness and then subsequent loss of wide receiver Michael Floyd, the lack of production from wide receiver John Brown as he dealt with health issues, the ongoing carousel on the offensive line that lost both its starting tackle and right guard throughout the season -- Palmer played well. He finished with 26 touchdowns to 14 interceptions and had his fourth 4,000-yard season in the past five. But it was his ability to keep the offense in games throughout the season, and pull off an upset in Seattle in Week 16, that showed Palmer wasn’t in decline. With a healthy offensive line -- or at least a series of capable backups -- and a fully stocked wide receiving corps, Palmer is capable of leading the Cardinals back into Super Bowl contention.
Realistic ways the Cardinals can improve their chances to contend for a Super Bowl:
Draft a wide receiver. With Floyd out of the picture, the Cardinals need to find a receiver who can fill his role in the offense and be primed to take over as WR1 after Fitzgerald retires. Even when Floyd was on the roster, he wasn’t playing up to his potential. That, coupled with Brown’s low output this season, left gaping holes in Arizona’s receiving corps, at least one of which can be filled by drafting a big, tall, strong receiver to work the sideline and come down with crucial, third-down catches.
Improve special teams. At least five of the Cardinals’ eight losses and one tie could be linked directly or indirectly to special teams -- a swing that would’ve helped Arizona win the NFC West and put the team second overall in the NFC. Missed field goals against New England in Week 1 and Seattle in Week 7 led to a loss and a tie, respectively. Giving up a big punt return in Week 4 led to a loss to Los Angeles in Week 4. A series of missed kicks led to a loss in Miami in Week 14. And a botched kickoff return to open the second half in Minnesota led to a loss in Week 11. The blame can’t just be placed on Catanzaro, the holder, the long snapper or the gunner. It was a collective that struggled all season, but Arians has said he won’t make any changes on the coaching staff -- which means special-teams coordinator Amos Jones will return in 2017.
Find a cornerback to line up opposite Patrick Peterson. First, the Cardinals believed Justin Bethel was going to be the answer at cornerback. When injuries stunted his development as a defensive back, Arizona turned to rookie Brandon Williams. When his inexperience showed in the first two games, Arizona gave the job to Marcus Cooper. But for Arizona to become a legitimate Super Bowl contender next season, the Cardinals need to find a cornerback opposite Peterson who can lock down his receiver well enough to make life frustrating and difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Because the longer the corners can cover, the longer the quarterbacks hold on to the ball, the more time the Cardinals’ pass-rushers have to get to the quarterback.