The Cardinals weren’t able to get the running game going in 2025, and it proved to take a massive toll on the offensive production. Arizona had to rely almost entirely on the pass, and while that was effective, it was nowhere close to enough to make the unit a constant threat.
Season-ending injuries to James Conner, Trey Benson, and Bam Knight left the Cardinals with only their No. 4 running back options plus a few practice squad additions, which ultimately led to the decrease in numbers.
Sure, the passing offense did have a successful season, seeing a pair of 1,000+ receiving yard pass catchers in tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson. But it wasn’t enough for them to win more than three games.
The lack of a true No. 1 running back really hurt the team, and they can patch that hole up by signing another cap casualty at the hands of an NFC North disappointment in 2025.
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Cardinals Could Sign RB Aaron Jones If Cut By Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings cutting Aaron Jones would save them $7.75 million, and he would be a prime target for Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals’ front office.
In 2025, Jones logged 548 rushing yards on 132 attempts in 12 games with the Vikings. He found the endzone twice and, more importantly, served as a reliable security blanket for J.J. McCarthy, who saw the first NFL action of his career.
If the Cardinals were to sign Jones, they would be getting a player who can impact the game not only in the run game but also in the passing game as well. A true duel-threat player, Arizona would only benefit from bringing Jones in, and it will be interesting to see if the front office makes this happen.