

The futures of defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu, Jerraud Powers and Rashad Johnson are among the decisions at the forefront of the Cardinals' offseason.







The new league year for the NFL doesn't officially begin until March 9 – that's when contracts are up and free agency begins – but the truth is every team has already in some capacity been working on the 2016 season.

The Scouting combine starts in two weeks. Some teams, including the Cardinals, are already beginning draft meetings. There is work to do. Said one Cardinals coach who is still hanging around this relatively quiet time at the Cards' Tempe complex, "This is the season of unfinished business."

With that in mind, here are, in no particular order, my thoughts on the top five decisions facing the Cardinals heading into the offseason:

How do you find a pass rush?

It's a popular topic, and a constant one with this team. Steve Keim said the day after the season ended it was the top priority for the team, and that was emphasized watching the way the Broncos' pass rush dismantled a Carolina offense that had just dismantled the Cardinals.

It's very easy to say "We want a better pass rush." It's different than actually doing so. Picking 29th in the first round doesn't really help, nor does the dearth of good pass rushers that will actually hit the open market in free agency (No, Von Miller will not be available.) There are choices the Cardinals have to make with their own roster before even looking around. What to do with Alex Okafor? Do you bring back a soon-to-be 36-year-old Dwight Freeney? Can 2015 fifth-round pick Shaq Riddick, who didn't play a down as a rookie, actually become something? What about injured undrafted rookie Zack Wagenmann, who had 17 sacks as a senior in college?