Raising Zona
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5 big mistakes that doomed the Arizona Cardinals in 2022

By Sion Fawkes

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 06: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws under pressure from linebacker Uchenna Nwosu #10 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at State Farm Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks beat the Cardinals 31-21. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 06: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws under pressure from linebacker Uchenna Nwosu #10 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at State Farm Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks beat the Cardinals 31-21. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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Arizona Cardinals
Jan 8, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Eno Benjamin (31) runs to the locker room after the game against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

3 – Cutting Eno Benjamin

Thanks to his late-season resurgence, James Conner swooped in and saved this situation from becoming a complete disaster. But before Conner rediscovered his bruising ways once again, Eno Benjamin was the Arizona Cardinals leading back heading into Week 10.

No, he wasn’t great, as there were weeks he was up and averaging over seven yards per carry, and weeks where he was down, averaging between two and three. But with 4.3 yards per carry on 70 touches, Benjamin was playing rather well for the Redbirds.

Following a supposed disagreement with an assistant coach, he was cut following the Cardinals Week 10 win against the Los Angeles Rams. Once again, the Cards were already on the decline here, so this didn’t completely doom their season.

But with Murray’s injury concerns even before his torn ACL, pairing Benjamin with Conner would’ve made the Cardinals more competitive during the season’s late stages. This would’ve become more paramount when the team turned to Trace McSorley and David Blough.

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