Your post here resonates with me, mt.
I, too, see reasons for optimism.
McVay is our HC and just hired some top assistants, imo.
Stafford at QB.
Kupp is still Kupp.
AD is still AD.
I see building blocks sprinkled all throughout this roster, too many to list.
I see a potential top 5 O this year.
I see a completely rebuilt ST this year and one that should be playoff worthy.
I see a young but fast D that on paper reloaded at Edge, DL, CB, and Safety, plus the aforementioned coaching upgrades.
So, an 8-9 win season seems doable to me.