The Arizona Cardinals are 3-6 and now have a rookie in Carson Beck as their starting quarterback at the midpoint of the season. They traded away Jacoby Brissett and Marvin Harrison Jr. They have had surprising wins.
In USA TODAY's midseason grades, the Cardinals are very average, getting a C.
In their surprising three wins to date, the Cardinals have proven themselves capable of punching above their weight class. That's an encouraging development in Mike LaFleur's first year, but there's still not enough of a clear core to have much confidence in what's been built to date. The final two months of the season might be a bit dodgier with Carson Beck taking over the offense, but at least a team with no clear path forward at quarterback will get a robust
assessment of its third-round rookie.
Is a C generous? Perhaps, but the truth is that few expected the Cardinals to have three wins this season at this point.
The offense has mostly underwhelmed, and they have had more than their fair share of injuries, and the defense has been good some games and abysmal in most others. The question is whether that can be sustained.
But now it is Beck leading the way with a receiving corps combining for eight receptions this season.
LaFleur seems to be giving the players a message they believe in. It doesn't feel like a one-and-done season for him, although the front office might need some changing.
With a softer part of their schedule coming up, the Cardinals could surprise and end up with six or seven wins.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL midseason grades: Arizona Cardinals get a C
