Offense is the name of the game for the Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals defense is loaded with question marks, but the offense may be strong enough to carry the team this season. 

Whenever the Arizona Cardinals are brought up in any discussion, the team’s defensive unit is usually not talked about in glowing terms. Star defenders such as Budda Baker and J.J. Watt are great to have around, but question marks at all three levels of coordinator Vance Joseph’s unit create an ample amount of uncertainty.

On the other of the spectrum is an Arizona Cardinals scoring attack that appears to be overflowing with firepower. Could general manager Steve Keim be under the impression that the offense will generate enough points to overcome any deficiencies that the Cards defense may have?

Any success that the Cardinals will have in 2022-23 will almost certainly revolve around the arm (and legs) of quarterback Kyler Murray. The budding superstar has made a pair of Pro Bowl appearances over the past couple of years, and also earned an Offensive Rookie of the Year award back in 2019. Keim is doing everything he can to prolong Murray’s success by showering the 25-year old with a plethora of weapons for the upcoming campaign.

Arizona Cardinals have supplied Kyler Murray with an abundance of firepower

Arizona’s most important offensive component, besides Murray of course, is star wideout DeAndre Hopkins. Unfortunately, a suspect suspension for a failed drug test will sideline the five-time Pro Bowler for the squad’s first six matchups. On the positive side, Cards fans can expect a well-rested Hopkins to hit the ground running when he returns to action on October 20th.

One of Keim’s most savvy additions of the 2021 offseason was James Conner, a battering ram of a running back who came to the Redbirds from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Six months after that came the trade for Zach Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowl tight end from the Philadelphia Eagles.

On the opening night of this past April’s NFL Draft, the Cardinals supplied Murray with an extremely-early Christmas present. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, a former teammate of the signal-caller’s at the University of Oklahoma, will serve as the downfield threat that Kliff Kingsbury’s  “Air Raid” attack so badly needed.

It all of that isn’t enough, Arizona also has seven-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher A.J. Green in the mix. Darrel Williams, a ball-carrier who totaled over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs last fall, will give Conner a rest now and then.

Next on the seemingly endless list of “Big Red” scoring threats is Rondale Moore, a 22-year old who many experts believe will enjoy a productive sophomore season for the Cards. Trey McBride, a second-round selection this past spring, is considered the best tight end of the 2022 draft class.

Even the most stringent Cardinals detractors would have to admit that the team possesses an explosive array of offensive talent. Whether it will be enough to overcome a defense that is not quite up to par is a question that will soon be answered.