Cardinals may have sabotaged offense with two costly decisions

The Arizona Cardinals can only blame themselves for the disappointing end to their 2021 season after the choices they made.

Two of those choices may have had a more significant impact than what the Arizona Cardinals players and staff could have ever imagined. Back during the offseason, the Cardinals brass listened and agreed to cut down the number of OTAs from 10 to three.

The Cardinals‘ rookie class had their learning curves stunted for the second season in a row. But, this time, it wasn’t the COVID-19 virus forcing their hand. Instead, this was a choice that was detested amongst Arizona fans after their first late-season collapse in 2020.

It’s partially to blame for Zaven Collins, Rondale Moore, and Marco Wilson’s lack of success in 2021. Who knows if more reps even in the offseason would have helped them, let alone the underwhelming wide receiving corps outside of DeAndre Hopkins. Would more offseason reps have resulted in A.J. Green being more prepared on the play that cost Arizona the game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8?

The question can flow forever, and now it’s time for the second self-sabotage by the Cardinals in 2021.

Kyler Murray not wanting to use his legs cost the Arizona Cardinals in 2021

When Kyler Murray spoke about his desires to make his legs a “luxury,” he disrupted 50 percent of what made him such a lethal weapon up to that point. Point and case, look at what the Buffalo Bills have done with Josh Allen.

While running “student body left, or right” plays with your quarterback leading the ball is one dangerous way to live as an NFL head coach, it worked for Sean McDermott and the Bills this season.

Murray was steadfast in his wish, and he sure got it. But at what cost? An epic collapse that cost him and his coach their reputation in the NFL. Kingsbury could never make up for Murray’s lack of ground production.

It makes one wonder what would’ve happened in Arizona’s playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams had Murray had more designed runs and roll-outs on passing plays.