5 big mistakes that doomed the Arizona Cardinals in 2022
By Sion Fawkes
2 – Sitting Greg Dortch
What excuse did Kliff Kingsbury have here? You had a receiver who logged 20 receptions on 23 targets, 198 receiving yards, and a touchdown over the first three games, and you decided to bench him in favor of Rondale Moore?
And okay, I’ll be fair. Moore had some pretty productive games until he suffered yet another injury. But that doesn’t excuse you from sitting who was arguably your most productive receiver over the first three games because a player with similar size and speed returned to the lineup. Especially one as injury-prone as Moore.
Over the next seven contests, Dortch caught five passes on six targets, by which point the Arizona Cardinals were slipping out of playoff contention. Dortch saw ample playing time in four of the Cards final six games, catching 27 passes on 35 targets, but by then, the season was practically over.
Imagine, Mr. Kingsbury, had you just played him regularly throughout the 2022 season. Not saying you would’ve kept your job, but I am saying the odds of you doing so would’ve moved a little more in your favor.