Understanding Kyler Murray’s role in Drew Petzing’s offense

Why Cardinals’ fans could refrain from thinking that the current offense is conventional

The current buzz among Cardinals’ fans on social media is the prospect of Monti Ossenfort outbidding the Los Angeles Chargers for the services of UFA WR Keenan Allen. The rumor is that the Chargers have offered Allen a two-year $30M contract —- which the Cardinals can afford to match and transcend by agreeing to give Allen more guaranteed money.

The Keenan Allen to Arizona buzz was initiated by ESPN writer Jeffri Chadiha who claims that Allen is a “best fit” for the Cardinals.

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Keenan Allen

WR · Age: 33

Arizona Cardinals

There are plenty of teams who need veteran help at wide receiver, but Allen fits in Arizona because the Cardinals must unlock all the potential in Marvin Harrison Jr., who was the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft. Arizona leaned on young players like Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch to work with Harrison at receiver in 2024. That’s not going to get it done, not for a team that displayed flashes of being closer to a playoff team than anybody imagined at this time last year. The 33-year-old Allen isn’t the same player he was in his prime — he had four 100-catch seasons in the previous five years before being traded to Chicago in 2024 — but he still knows how to operate from the slot. He delivered solid production with the Bears (70 receptions, 744 yards and seven touchdowns), and he can give quarterback Kyler Murray another dependable target to go along with tight end Trey McBride.

Piggybacking on Allen being a “best fit” for Cardinals?:

Keenan Allen’s remarkable career numbers:

Keenan Allen’s 2024 Stats with the Bears:

• Games: 15
• Targets: 121
• Receptions: 70
• Catch Rate: 57.9%
• Yards: 744
• Ave YPC: 10.6
• TDs: 7
• PFF Passing Game Grade; 68.2
• PFF Run Blocking Grade: 31.6
• PFF Overall Grade: 64.4

As the Bears reflected on their offensive priorities last season, they could have regretted giving Keenan Allen 20 more targets that their 1st round pick Rome Odunze (pick #9) who garnered 734 yards on 16 fewer receptions for a 13.9 average.

Kyler Murray’s priorities in drew Petzing’s offense:

1. Facilitate the team’s run-heavy 12 and 13 personnel schemes like an NBA point guard. He is essentially the Cardinals’ version of fellow Oklahoma standout Trae Young. Kyler always needs to be a threat to score, but his forte is centered around leading the offense in assists, by making as many of the offensive “touches” count.
2. To be extremely efficient in the passing game, on play action, drop back and pocket passes. Catch rate percentages are one of the most meaningful priorities for Drew Petzing, and therefore, for Kyler Murray.

2024 Top 100 Catch Rates in the NFL: (minimum of 30 receptions or 60 targets)

**The Cardinals had three...