It appears that the 2026 version of the Arizona Cardinals is just the version of the team in 2025. Maybe the new boss is just like the old boss.
At this rate, something needs to change. Yes, the Cardinals are 2-5-0. But 10 games remain. Is this team headed down the rabbit hole to another double-digit-loss season? Or can they rebound?
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Arizona has a new offense, but geez, averaging 20.3 points a game is concerning. This side of the ball will drive up and down the field all game, then when they arrive in the Red Zone, the wheels come off, and the offense does not finish.
Correct that statement: the offense rarely finishes.
The offensive problems with this offense begin with one guy: QB Jacoby Brissett. It's a sad, sad situation. His all-time starting record? 22-50-0. His starting record while with Arizona? 3-16-0.
This new Mike LaFleur offense is ranked #19 overall in the league. They are #18 in total passing yards (1,607), #1 in attempts (283), #2 in completions (184), #13 in pass completion percentage (65.0%), #16 in touchdown passes (10), #23 in fewest interceptions thrown (6), #28 in passing plays of 20+ yards (13), dead last in passing plays of 40+ yards (0), and have given up the 16thmost sacks (15).
Where are the explosive plays? Long plays just aren't a thing with Arizona. They are the only club that hasn't had a passing play go further than 40 yards, and look at the plays of 20-plus yardage. Just 13? In seven games?
The Cardinals boast the league's best tight end in Trey McBride, and have several dynamic pass catchers in Michael Wilson, Kendrick Bourne, and rookie Reggie Virgil. The offensive line is holding its own despite losing LT Paris Johnson and each week having to Band-Aid who is healthy and who is injured.
In the past, Brissett was known for having huge games. He has 10 career 300-yard passing days and one in which he eclipsed 400 yards in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers last year in late November (452).
But none of that is happening this year.
In the Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Brissett had a mere 95 passing yards. 166 in the loss to the New York Football Giants in Week 4.
The issue is that Brissett is having to throw a lot in every contest. The average for a quarterback is 28 attempts. This year, Brissett has thrown 37, 28, 52, 35, 47, 35, and 48 attempts. What that means is that the Cardinals aren't generating much of a running game, so their quarterback has to air it out for much of the contest. That is not sustainable. When the opposing defense realizes that Arizona can't run, they stop looking for the run and blast off the snap every time, which gives them a distinct advantage.
Should this offense sit Brissett?
Statistically, his completion percentage is strong. He threw for 73.0% and 73.1% in two games, and in the 60s for four more. That is really a good sign. Any quarterback who can throw for a 65% completion ratio in any game has done his job. These are dream stats for any signalcaller.
The main issue with Brissett at the helm is the offense's inability to get into the end zone. The Cardinals can move the ball up and down the field for much of the game, but as soon as they cross the 20-yard line, it is like time stands still.
Currently, Arizona is ranked dead last in Red Zone efficiency at 44%. Good teams, such as the San Francisco 49ers, come in at scoring a touchdown on 87% of their trips. Plainly put, the Niners finish drives, while the Cardinals spit and sputter and end up with three points instead of six.
Which is gravy for Arizona kicker Chad Ryland. He is the king of having to come in and kick 23-yard field goals because the offense can't find a way to get into the end zone.
He is ranked #2 in field goal attempts, #3 in converted field goals, and he has converted on 89.5% of his attempts. To show how the offense relies on him to bail them out, he has converted 5 of 5 kicks in the 20–29-yard range, and 5 for 5 in the 30–39-yard range. It's not like he is banging out a bunch of 50-to 60-yard kicks.
Last weekend against the Denver Broncos, the Cardinals were 1-5 in Red Zone appearances. They got down to Denver's 11, 7, and 23 without scoring a touchdown. Drives of 14 plays and 10 plays. While the Broncos were scoring six points a pop, Arizona was getting half that.
The week before, in the 18-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams, Ryland did all the scoring.
Brissett guided the offense on drives of 10 plays, 12, 15, and 14. The Cardinals were on the Rams' 16, 12, 3, 19, 9, before Ryland kicked the 43-yard game-winner with no time remaining. Yet each drive ended up with yet another field goal.
In the second quarter, Arizona had a first-and-goal at the eight, and after three plays had not punched it in. What about the 15-play drive that began at their own 25-yard line to start the third quarter, and the offense had a first-and-10 on the Rams' 23 and could only get to the 19 before trotting out Ryland once again?
Or the 14-play drive, as the period was about to expire, that volleyed over into Quarter 4 became a first-and-goal at LA's eight. Four-yard run to the four-yard line, minus three-yard run, minus two-yard pass, field goal. Before this drive, the Cardinals were up 15-9. A touchdown here with just over nine minutes left in the game would have crippled the Rams.
Two things about Brissett: He doesn't have many picks (6), but he also doesn't throw many touchdowns (10). Which makes absolutely no sense with having access to an exceptional pass-catching tight end like McBride.
Raise your hand if this makes any sense.
Here's an idea: Sit Brissett for a few games. Insert backup Gardner Minshew and see what happens. What is the worst that can happen? The Cardinals will lose? They are doing that anyways. Maybe Minshew has a potion that will help this offense get into the end zone.
Because the problem isn't whether this offense can move the ball – it can. It's getting into the end zone and collecting three points instead of six. By kicking field goals on the majority of drives, it keeps the other team in the ballgame. There is no extension of the lead – ever.
Throw Minshew in there and let's see if anything different pops out. Then, at some point down the schedule, put rookie Carson Beck in some games and see what Arizona has in him, because they will need to know before next April's NFL Draft. Kick the tires on Beck and see what he can do in a live regular-season game against defensive starters.
If Ryland ends up going to the Pro Bowl this year, the first person he should thank is Brissett. Maybe buy him a nice watch.
