3 NFC West moves that should make Seahawks fans feel better about 2023 chances

Hope for Seahawks No. 2: Cardinals lose two key defenders

The Cardinals might be a better team simply because Kliff Kingsbury is no longer their head coach. Kingsbury's greatest coaching ability seems to be that his teams get worse in the second halves of seasons. Even in college, a Kingsbury-led team was not successful past a season's midway point. Kingsbury was fired this offseason, however, so Arizona shouldn't be any worse in the second half of 2023 than they are in the first.

But we don't really know what to expect from the Cardinals this coming season. Their head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator are all new to their respective positions. Quarterback Kyler Murray tore his ACL late last season and even if he is ready to play this coming season, he probably won't be 100 percent. It is very unlikely Murray is ready anywhere near Week 1.

But what might really hurt the Cardinals is the losses of cornerback Byron Murphy and defensive lineman Zach Allen. Murphy was injured for much of 2022, but there is little doubt that when healthy he is a good player. Allen had 20 quarterback hits last season as well as 5.5 sacks in only 13 games.

Arizona's defense wasn't very good last year. It won't be any better in 2023, most likely. And the losses of Murphy and Allen should help mean that Geno Smith and the Seahawks have enough offensive firepower to get by Arizona twice this coming season.