The Arizona Cardinals are entering a pivotal period in their franchise’s history as they look to rebuild and revamp their offensive system. With changes at the top of the organizational structure, including the hiring of head coach Jonathan Gannon and a new direction for the team, the Cardinals have an opportunity to retool their offensive identity for long-term success. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance on offense, it’s clear that there is one major adjustment they must make to become more competitive in the NFL: a shift toward a more balanced offensive attack.
The 2024 season highlighted the Cardinals’ struggles in many areas on offense. Despite the occasional individual brilliance—such as the playmaking ability of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the dynamic quarterback play of Kyler Murray—the offense has often been one-dimensional. The reliance on a pass-heavy scheme without a complementary, consistent running game has been a recipe for inconsistency. As the team moves forward into the 2025 season, it’s imperative that the Cardinals make a concerted effort to improve their balance on offense, primarily by strengthening their running game and diversifying their approach to attacking defenses.
In this article, we will explore why the Arizona Cardinals must make this offensive adjustment, examine the benefits of a more balanced offense, and discuss how they can implement this shift effectively in 2025.
The Problem with Arizona’s Current Offensive Strategy
In the 2024 season, the Arizona Cardinals ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of offensive yards per game, but there were several issues with their play calling and overall offensive philosophy. At the core of these issues was a heavy dependence on the passing game, particularly through Kyler Murray, who was often asked to carry the offense on his shoulders. While Murray is an incredibly talented quarterback with the ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground, the lack of a complementary running game put too much pressure on his shoulders.
Inconsistent Running Game:
The Cardinals’ running attack was one of the most inconsistent in the NFL last season. While running back James Conner has proven to be a capable and physical back, the offense as a whole did not emphasize the run game enough. Conner, when healthy, averaged just 4.0 yards per carry in 2024, but his opportunities were limited by the Cardinals’ pass-heavy play calling. This lack of balance not only affected the team’s ability to sustain drives but also allowed opposing defenses to focus primarily on defending the pass.
Pressure on Kyler Murray:
Kyler Murray, as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, is best utilized when he has the ability to make plays in both the passing and running game. However, the Cardinals’ heavy reliance on him as a passer led to unnecessary pressure, particularly when the offense was unable to establish any rhythm in the run game. This pass-first mentality led to an increased number of sacks and hits on Murray, which compounded the injury risk for their star quarterback. Furthermore, by focusing so heavily on the pass, the Cardinals often found themselves in predictable situations, making it easier for defenses to anticipate plays.
Predictability:
The lack of balance also made the offense too predictable. Defenses were able to anticipate that the Cardinals would be passing more often than running, especially on first and second downs. As a result, they could flood the secondary with defensive backs and rush the passer with more aggressiveness. This predictability hurt Arizona’s ability to sustain long drives and put consistent points on the board.
Why a Balanced Offensive Attack is Crucial for the Cardinals in 2025
There are several reasons why a more balanced offensive strategy is essential for the Arizona Cardinals as they move into the 2025 season.
- Protecting Kyler Murray: Kyler Murray is the face of the franchise, and his health is paramount to the team’s success. By shifting toward a more balanced offensive approach, the Cardinals can take some of the pressure off Murray. A productive running game allows the quarterback to play in more favorable situations, such as shorter down-and-distance scenarios, rather than always facing third-and-long situations. Additionally, a more balanced attack reduces the number of times Murray has to drop back to pass and risk injury from blitzing defenders or overuse.
- Improving Offensive Line Play: A more balanced offense would also help the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line. In 2024, the Cardinals’ offensive line struggled to create running lanes and often found themselves in pass protection situations where defensive lines could pin their ears back and rush the passer. When a team is one-dimensional, the offensive line is forced to block for the pass game more often than the run, which can create vulnerability to blitzes and stunts. By running the ball more effectively, the Cardinals would allow their offensive line to become more aggressive and control the line of scrimmage.
- Keeping Defenses Honest: A more balanced attack would prevent opposing defenses from focusing solely on stopping the pass. Defenses that know a team is one-dimensional can design schemes to eliminate the pass threat, such as committing more players to coverage or rushing the passer with more frequency. By introducing a more consistent running game, the Cardinals would force defenses to commit more resources to stopping the run, which would open up passing lanes for Kyler Murray. This would make the offense more difficult to predict and more difficult to defend.
- Maximizing the Potential of James Conner and the Running Backs: James Conner has shown he can be a productive running back when given opportunities, but the Cardinals have often failed to give him enough touches to make an impact. Conner, who is known for his physical running style and ability to break tackles, can be a key contributor in the red zone and short-yardage situations if given more consistent touches. Along with Conner, the Cardinals need to develop a more well-rounded running back room that could include players who bring speed and agility, such as Keaontay Ingram or a rookie addition. By focusing on the running game, the Cardinals would also avoid becoming too predictable when they enter passing situations.
- Easier Play-Calling and More Flexibility: A more balanced offense provides offensive coordinators with greater flexibility. When a team is balanced, it is harder for opposing defenses to predict what’s coming next, and it becomes easier to mix up play calls. Play-action passes become far more effective when defenses have to respect the running game, and the threat of the run makes it harder for defenses to pin their ears back and rush the passer with abandon. This kind of flexibility would allow the Cardinals to take full advantage of their playmakers, including tight ends, wide receivers, and running backs, without tipping their hand to the defense.
How the Arizona Cardinals Can Implement This Shift in 2025
There are several key steps that the Arizona Cardinals can take to implement a more balanced offensive approach in 2025:
- Commit to the Running Game: The first step is simply a mindset change. Head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing must commit to establishing a consistent running game. This means running the ball early in games, especially on first and second downs, to open up more opportunities for the passing game. James Conner should get more than just 15-18 carries a game; the Cardinals need to aim for a balanced workload that includes around 25-30 rushing attempts per game.
- Improve Offensive Line Play: To run the ball effectively, the Cardinals must invest in improving their offensive line. Whether through the draft, free agency, or internal development, it’s crucial that the Cardinals focus on creating holes in the running game and improving their pass protection. Building an offensive line that is both physical and capable of handling different blocking schemes will provide Kyler Murray with better protection and make the running game more efficient.
- Utilize Play-Action: As the running game improves, the Cardinals should incorporate more play-action passes into their offensive scheme. Play-action is an effective tool to freeze defenses and create open lanes for passing. By using play-action, the Cardinals can capitalize on Murray’s mobility and arm strength to make big plays downfield, while keeping defenses honest.
- Incorporate More Spread Concepts: While establishing the run is important, the Cardinals should also continue to use their up-tempo, spread offense to take advantage of mismatches. By spreading the field with multiple wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs, the offense will be able to create opportunities in both the running and passing games. The use of pre-snap motion and quick, short passes can help in setting up running lanes for Conner and others.
- Add to the Running Back Room: The Cardinals should also consider adding another dynamic back to complement James Conner. This could be done via the draft or free agency, focusing on a back who can be a change-of-pace runner, capable of providing speed and agility in contrast to Conner’s physicality. A back like this would allow the team to rotate players and keep defenses on their toes.
