The Disappearing Arizona Cardinals Offense

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Has Kliff Kingsbury’s once-vaunted Arizona Cardinal offense become little more than a mirage in the desert?

Kliff Kingsbury's Arizona Cardinal offense with Kyler Murray under center is sputtering. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

Over the past eight games, including a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams last season, the Cardinals passing game has become one of the worst in the NFL. During a 1-2 start this season, the Cardinals rank as the third-worst passing attack based on net yards per attempt. That is the average of all yards on pass plays, including a deduction for yards lost on sacks.

So far this season, the Arizona Cardinals are averaging only 4.9 yards per attempt. Only the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears are worse. The big difference is that neither the Giants nor the Bears have a quarterback like Kyler Murray, who was signed this offseason to a $230.5 million contract, including $160 million guaranteed.

KYLER MURRAY'S BIG CONTRACT DRAWS ATTENTION

Dating to last season, the numbers are worse. The Arizona Cardinals are averaging only 4.7 net yards per attempt over their last 8 games, a 2-6 stretch. This coincides with the team losing wide receiver Deandre Hopkins to injury last season and then to suspension this season.

Hopkins is obviously a great player who impacts the overall offense. But …

Three NFC Defensive Coordinators Break down the Issues With Kliff Kingsbury's Attack

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals need Kyler Murray to stay upright and help get the offense back on track (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Can Kliff Kingsbury Right The Ship

All three defensive coordinators wonder if the Arizona Cardinals will return to more effective play with the return of Hopkins. They also believe that the offense needs a serious infusion of talent. But there’s still the question of whether Kingsbury will find answers to make the offense work long-term without an effective running game.

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Jason Cole has covered or written about pro football since 1992. He is one of 49 selectors for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and has served as a selector since 2013. Cole has worked for publications such as Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, The Miami Herald, the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, and started his career with the Peninsula Times-Tribune in Palo Alto. Cole’s five-year investigation of Reggie Bush and the University of Southern California resulted in Bush becoming the only player to ever relinquish his Heisman Trophy and USC losing its 2004 national championship.