Cardinals coach Steve Wilks is aware of the low external expectations set for his team in 2018.

After an impressive five-year run under coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer, their retirements have left many wondering if a rebuild is on the horizon in the desert. Wilks is entering his first season as a head coach at the NFL level, so a transition year with difficulties would be normal.

Wilks isn't subscribing to the theory. He has been hyper-focused since arriving in January, and his plan doesn't include peaking years down the line.

"This is not a rebuild," Wilks said on the first day of training camp. "This is a re-tool. I know a lot of people outside the organization – and I may be looking at some (in the local media) – that aren't giving us an opportunity or a chance, and that's fine. But we've got a lot of talent, a lot of great coaches, and we're going to make some noise this year."

Wilks comes over from the Panthers, where he was the defensive coordinator. He brought a host of coaches and a new 4-3 defensive scheme. His top two quarterbacks are new. The Cardinals signed veteran Sam Bradford in free agency and added Josh Rosen with the No. 10 overall selection in the draft. All-Pro running back David Johnson is healthy again, while wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, cornerback Patrick Peterson and defensive end Chandler Jones give him other elite pieces with which to work.

Wilks understands well the precious seat in which he sits – "I feel very privileged, very humbled, to be one of 32 in the whole world," Wilks said – and does not want to waste any time proving his worth. It's only been a couple of years since the Cardinals were talked about as Super Bowl contenders. Wilks believes he can return the team quickly to that rarified air.