There is no doubt that the Arizona Cardinals are having problems on offense. It has been documented that their running game just isn’t getting it done, which has become front and center.
Simply put: the Cardinals cannot run the football.
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After three games, Arizona is ranked #16 in total rushing yards (334), #17 in rushing attempts (77), #17 in yards per carry average (4.3), tied for #22 in rushing touchdowns (1), and #19 in rushes to convert a first
down (17). They are tied for second in rushing plays of 20+ yards (3).
This offense is predicated on a successful running attack. That is why there are two and even three tight ends on the field for a large majority of plays to help out with blocking.
But the Cardinals’ rushing scheme is not getting it done. Why?
The offensive line isn’t getting it done. Period. Specifically, both offensive guard spots: RG Isaiah Adams (6’-4”, 315 pounds) and LG Evan Brown (6’-3”, 320 pounds).
Through three games, Brown has a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 55.3, while Adams’ PFF grade is worse at 41.2. That is concerning. Adams’ run blocking grade is a paltry 38.1 and is ranked #91 out of 95 players who play his position. He has committed three penalties, but has allowed zero sacks, which appears to be his lone shining star.
And now that starting RB James Conner has found a new home on IR after damaging his ankle in the San Francisco loss this past weekend, raise your hand if you believe that the running game will suddenly become better?
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort may decide to bring in another running back as the starter or to become the new backup to RB Trey Benson. That is a different matter.
For now, what is the solution for both guard spots? Injured Will Hernandez’s return will certainly take care of supplanting Adams, which would bring the issue to just one player. Could offensive line coach Justin Frye or Assistant O-Line coach Chris Cook provide more time with Brown to work on his weaknesses? After all, he is just a second-year player.
Hernandez suffered an ACL tear in his left knee in Week 5 of the 2024 season. He started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and the team moved him to the active roster before the regular season began. This indicated that his return was sooner rather than later, with no reported setbacks. But so far, his return has no confirmed date.
And even if Hernandez is ruled cleared to be ready to play in live games, he would need time to catch up and get healthy after the major injury. The franchise has not placed Hernandez on IR so far this year, which means he is available at any time. The major question is, when will he return?
Recently on the Arizona Sports podcast “Wolf & Luke,” Ossenfort stated this about Hernandez:
“(Hernandez) has not had any setbacks; in fact, it is quite the opposite. He is getting better every day. Sitting in my chair, when you put these guys on one of these lists like IR and PUP, those guys can’t actually practice. It’s got to be a consideration of when those guys are ready to return to practice.”
This does not tell us when Hernandez will return. In fact, he hasn’t even been practicing, which is the first step in order for him to return to the lineup.
Ossenfort explained:
“People have to understand that when these guys come off those lists, they have been down for some time. So, when you see a guy practicing for two days, you assume he will be back to play in an NFL game. I don’t think that is really realistic, either. For us, Will is close to practicing and is a guy we want to get acclimated and get him moving. He had done that. Every week, he has ramped up his time, and he is getting closer. He has put in a lot of hard work to get to where he is.”
Adams had a very good training camp, but so far is making a lot of young guy mistakes. He needs more development and may one day turn into a fine offensive guard for the squad. But right now, he is struggling badly. Hernandez’s return will help this struggling offense.
And Ossenfort sees Hernandez returning in the near future:
“It’s put (Hernandez) in a good spot to get back to the practice field and get those reps. He’s getting closer. We will see when the time comes for him to get back out there for game action.”
As far as the problems with Brown, good things were expected from him this year after a solid 2024 season where he started every game for the Cardinals. This year, despite decent PFF numbers in pass protection with a grade of 64.8, his run blocking numbers are horrible at 49.7. Brown is having issues with staying engaged and is letting his defender go too soon. He needs to be able to push his man out of harm’s way longer and then stay with him when his man attempts to jog right or left.
Brown’s run blocking grade thus far has ranked him #78 out of 95 guards. That is ridiculous.
Now, we as Cardinals fans can identify why this offense cannot move the ball on the ground. The interior of the offensive line is struggling. And now for the game against the Seahawks, offensive linemen who have ailments include Kelvin Beachum (knee), Paris Johnson (knee), and Brown (ankle).
The answers to this enigma can’t be blamed on Ossenfort to this point. He selected LG Hayden Conner out of Texas in the sixth round of this year’s NFL draft as quality depth. But Conner has been placed on IR after suffering a knee injury in the second preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Brown was considered a player who was solid and reliable for the interior, but so far has not shown any dominance over his defensive counterparts. On the practice squad are LG Jake Curhan (6’-6”, 316 pounds) and RT Jeremiah Byers (6’-4”, 320 pounds), who played some guard in high school.
The answer? Bring in some seasoned free agent veterans and work them out to see if they will fit into OC Drew Petzing’s scheme to provide some reliable interior run blocking assistance. If not, the obvious will continue each game.
Here are three guards for the Cardinals to consider:
Shaq Mason
6’-1”, 310 pounds
Age: 32
Mason is a beast and has played in a ton of NFL contests, 152 to be exact. He would simply be a plug-and-play guy who could suit up in the parking lot. As soon as Mason stepped on the field for the Cardinals, the offense would be better instantly.
One word: extremely durable. Okay, that’s two words, but Mason has missed just seven games in his 10 NFL seasons. His forte is run blocking and has been recognized as one of the NFL’s top guards with high overall and run-blocking grades over the years. Yes, he has lost a step being on the wrong side of 30. But he is powerful and a stout blocker. He can dominate and is consistent game after game.
His highest PFF grade was in 2021 when he graded out at 87.2 and ranked sixth for league guards. He is still available, and the reason is his price: $9 million a season. But is it worth that to ensure that each week the running game will have a chance to develop and succeed?
Jack Driscoll
6’-5”, 312 pounds
Age: 28
Driscoll is still a young man and now owns a Super Bowl ring, being on the roster of the Philadelphia Eagles last year. He has played right tackle in college, so he brings versatility to the offensive line room. He has played some center while with the Miami Dolphins as well.
The middle of the line would benefit from Driscoll’s presence, in that he has quick feet with good upper body strength. He will recognize stunts quickly and has very good lateral quickness. He also has a nasty disposition and is a grinder. Driskoll has played in 67 NFL games. He would come on the cheap as his price is in the $2 million range.
Stephen Gonzalez
6’-4”, 315 pounds
Age: 28
Gonzalez was with the Cardinals in his rookie season of 2020 after not being selected in the NFL draft. He made it to the final cutdown and was waived and not signed to the practice squad.
He then signed with the Buffalo Bills and was released. Gonzalez was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL and has been a starter for three seasons.
He possesses a wide frame with impressive power. His strength is run blocking as he can get out of his stance quickly and find his target. Great pulling ability and the power to shove gap blitzers off course.
The knock on him is that he has inconsistent hand quickness and a lack of length.
RELATED: 2025 ALL-UFL TEAM ANNOUNCED
In 2023, Gonzalez was named All-XFL as one of the league’s two top guard spots. This past season with the run-happy offense of St. Louis in the UFL, he was named to the All-UFL team.
