The 2023 season was a big year of change for the Arizona Cardinals. Jonathan Gannon’s first year as a head coach ended at 4-13, the teams’ same record as last year. However, three of those wins were against playoff teams. Despite what the record says, the Cardinals go into the offseason with significantly more hope and promise than after last season.
What Went Right
In Drew Petzing’s first year as the offensive coordinator, he clearly wanted to establish the run. The run game was the focal point of the Cardinals’ offense and it did not disappoint. James Conner led the way, rushing for an efficient five yards per carry (which ranked fifth), 1,040 yards (sixth), and 80 yards per game (fourth).
Along with Conner, the team picked up former Jets running back Michael Carter to serve as a backup, and he was also efficient, gaining 6.6 yards per carry. Getting help from quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Joshua Dobbs, the Cardinals ranked fourth in rushing yards and second in rushing yards per carry.
The rushing game being a substantial part of the offense led to a lot of play action, which made this an ideal offense for tight ends. The Cardinals’ tight end room was fourth in receiving yards (1,269 total), second in receptions (132), and first in targets (179). Trey McBride stole the show in a breakout season that has solidified himself as a franchise cornerstone. He had 81 receptions and 825 receiving yards despite being Zach Ertz‘s backup for the first seven games.
What Went Wrong
The defense as a whole was a complete disaster. They were the eighth-worst defense and dead last at defending the run. The defensive line, in particular, was repellent. Along with being atrocious against the run, they were equally as bad getting to the quarterback. The Cardinals didn’t record a single sack in five of their last six games, and their sacks leader was Dennis Gardeck, who had six.
Additionally, the wide receiver room for the Cardinals was just as bad. Marquise Brown led the wide receivers in receiving yards with just 574. This ranked 73rd among all receivers and was still the best option this team could produce. The passing attack just couldn’t get going. The group ranked 30th in total receiving yards, 30th in receptions, and totaled a whopping 21.3 receiving yards per game. It was truly embarrassing to watch.
Team Award Winners
MVP – James Conner
As said before, the offense ran through James Conner. He missed four games but ranked among the top seven in rushing yards and also hit the 1,000-yard mark. In games the Cardinals won, Conner averaged 101 rushing yards. It was transparent that the success of the offense depended on James Conner and he was far and away the best player on the team this season.
Rookie of the Year – Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson, the first-round pick for the Cardinals, showed a ton of promise on the offensive line. He played all 1,065 snaps this season and started to pick it up late in the season. He was a big contributor in the late-season upset win against the Eagles and the close loss against the Seahawks. His ability to block out in space was an integral part of the successful Cardinals rushing game.
Best Offseason Addition – Kyzir White
The Cardinals signed White to a dirt-cheap deal that pays just $5 million per year. His impact this season overwhelmingly exceeded that salary. Despite playing only 11 games, he led the team in tackles and tackles for loss. He was even making an impact off the field, quickly emerging as a respected leader for the defense.
Biggest Suprise – Trey McBride
As mentioned before, McBride took advantage of the hole at the tight end position and experienced a breakout season. At the start of the season, he wasn’t even the starter, but by the end of the year, he led the team in almost every major receiving statistic. He swiftly earned the trust of Murray and the two formed a strong connection.
Biggest Disappointment – Marco Wilson
Cardinals fans had high hopes for Marco Wilson coming into the season. With Byron Murphy departing for Minnesota, the torch of CB1 was passed to Wilson. What did he do with it? Absolutely nothing. Despite being benched mid-season, Wilson gave up 727 yards, a 72.3 completion percentage, and a 136.7 passer rating when targeted. Before the season, he was expected to leap into a true CB1. The reality? He was a complete liability and was the main reason for numerous losses.
One Burning Question
How do you build around Kyler Murray?
After returning from injury, Murray firmly re-established himself as the franchise quarterback. He took the team out of the running to take a top quarterback in the draft and did so with Greg Dortch as his WR1 for the majority of the games. The wide receiver room and most of the offensive line were filled with temporary bandages. The Cardinals have $51 million in cap space with six draft picks in the first three rounds. This is the offseason they need to go all in, and they certainly have their work cut out for them.
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