Revenge of the Birds
When the Arizona Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur as their next head coach, they brought in a guy with proven offensive success, having run the same offense at several programs.
While the OC of the Los Angeles Rams last year, their offense was ranked #1. That doesn’t happen by chance. It was LaFleur’s job to take the players supplied and meld a good offensive scheme and place players in position to become successful. LaFleur didn’t call plays, but did all of the other offensive coordinator jobs.
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The running back room is busting at the seams with players – and talent. Most NFL clubs keep three running backs on their final roster. At times, a fourth athlete will be retained if they have become the club’s kickoff or punt return specialist, or have other special teams value, such as a designated gunner.
Currently, the Cardinals’ running back room is as follows: James Conner (age 31), Tyler Allgeier (26), Bam Knight (25), Corey Kiner (24), Trey Benson (23), and Jeremiyah Love (21).
Let’s face it: Kiner and Knight better find a usefulness on special teams. That leaves four players.
Love will most likely become the new starting running back, and Allgeier is a talented runner who was once the Atlanta Falcons’ starter until they drafted Bijon Robinson in the first round. Allgeier was considered one of GM Monti Ossenfort’s big “splashes” in free agency this past March.
Benson is still young, but unproven despite being a third-round draft pick in 2024. He had his opportunity to prove what he can do at the NFL level after Conner went down to injury in Week 3. But Benson only lasted a week until he suffered a meniscus injury in the Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that required surgery.
That leaves Conner. Obviously, his age is the first notation. Not that he can’t contribute and produce into his 30s – he can. But he is also coming off a foot injury that eliminated his 2025 season. Don’t get this wrong: most foot injuries heal, and that’s about it. This type of injury isn’t lingering, such as a knee issue or Achilles tear.
The point is coming. One of these will have to leave the desert. And since this is quite evident, the Cardinals should look into getting something in return.
The first question is: Which player?
One aspect of LaFleur’s offense will be the ability to run the ball. He requires it. He loves a running quarterback, needs a competent offensive line, good receiving help from several tight ends, and has to have exceptional running backs.
Under former head coach Jonathan Gannon, the quarterback situation never became solved. The offensive play-calling was predictable and not consistent.
After three years under Gannon and OC Drew Petzing’s tutelage, the offense was ranked at the bottom or middle of the pack in most categories this past season. Remember, Gannon was a defensive coach, so his...
