DiNardo will probably be elected because most sitting vice presidents are promoted as a matter of course (with the notable exception of Bishop Kicanas a few years ago, but that was a very unusual circumstance). If that happens, I wouldn't read too much into it.

The thing to pay attention to is who gets elected vice president. That will be the real indicator of where the minds of the bishops are. The USCCB elections are like a chess match. You always need to be thinking a few moves ahead.