GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals offense had a chance to close out each of the team’s first three games of the 2025 season. All QB Kyler Murray and his unit needed to do was get one first down to close out each game, but the offense failed at every opportunity. The defense bailed the team out in the first two weeks but wasn’t able to against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the 16-15 loss.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Head coach Jonathan Gannon takes responsibility for the offensive struggles, but he doesn’t see a problem with the play calling. Fans have gotten the pitchforks out for offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who is the offensive play caller for the team. However, is the blame fully on Petzing or is there another reason why the offense can’t close out games?
Sep 10, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon (left) hugs Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing before the game against the Washington Commander at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
The answer is clearly the lack of production from the run game. In 2024, Arizona was second in yards per carry with 5.3, but is now at 4.3 yards per carry through the first three weeks of this season. If you take away the Kyler Murray scrambles, the number falls to four yards per carry, which would put them tied for 20th in the league.
While the blame is easy to blame on the running backs, like James Conner and Trey Benson, or one Petzing’s scheme, the clear answer is the offensive line hasn’t been good enough.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) breaks out of the backfield against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on Sept 14, 2025.
Cardinals Offensive lineman Pro Football Focus Run Block grade:
- T Paris Johnson Jr.: 57.4 (59/97)
- G Evan Brown: 46.5 (72/88)
- C Hjalte Froholdt: 69.1 (15/46)
- G Isaiah Adams: 44.9 (74/88)
- T Jonah Williams: 49.8 (82/97)
All starting offensive lineman have had a decrease to their run block grade from last year. While the pass block grades for the unit is mostly above average, Petzing’s offense is clearly more run heavy and depends on it to be successful. The offense has failed to record over 300 total yards in a game and is 25th in all-purpose yards with 276.3 per game.
Sep 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Arizona’s offense is hopeless unless the offensive line improves its physicality in the trenches. Will Hernandez is ramping up to a return from his ACL tear and that could help in that department.
The team needs the run game to close out games and grab those first downs to finish teams. With Conner out for the forseeable future, Benson will need to step up in that role to be RB1. Before the season, Conner and Benson titled themselves as both RB1s, but now the former third-round pick will need to live up to that mantle.
Cardinals RB James Conner ankle injury is seen as season ending
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
