Drew Petzing under pressure after Cardinals’ loss

The Arizona Cardinals were supposed to feature a dynamic offense this year. So far, that hasn’t happened. Yes, they won their first two games against bad teams, but the offensive scheme worked well for the first half, then fizzled in the second half.

The defense holds its own for the first three quarters, then tires out and allows the opponents to get back into the game. It seems like the defense has overperformed the past few years without high-quality talent and has been getting better. The final quarter is where they have failed repeatedly.

RELATED: ARIZONA’S RUN GAME CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE

In a key divisional matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, the Cardinals could not run, yet persisted in this scheme instead of throwing the ball more, where they have talented tight ends and receivers.

OC Drew Petzing is now in his third year with Arizona after joining the team from the Cleveland Browns. His offense loves to run the ball, often with as many as three tight ends on the field. So far this year, although the offense features receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr., the fourth player taken off the board in the 2024 NFL draft, it is the tight end group that is making the majority of the catches in the passing game.

TE Trey McBride leads the club in almost every receiving category, including targets (24), first down conversions (10), yards (182), receptions per game average (5.7), and receiving success rate (66.7%). The only stat that Harrison leads in is average yards per reception with 14.2% compared to McBride’s 10.7%. McBride is also ranked #25 in the league in total yards gained, whereas Harrison is ranked #47.

And currently standing with a 2-1-0 record isn’t bad, as many head coaches would love to have this record. But for Arizona, there was so much optimism about this team – especially the offense – before the season began. One media outlet predicted an 11-6-0 record and a place in the playoffs. And that just might come as the season rolls along, more so as a dark horse candidate rather than a team that will steamroll its opponents.

The hard way.

This offense is struggling. Harrison doesn’t look like a superstar in this league. He certainly has the maturity needed, but he will drop catches at the worst time in the game, and he needs to get more separation.

Many point directly at Petzing as an issue with this offense.

Others have QB Kyler Murray as the culprit. He is currently ranked #25 in total passing yards (542) and #16 in completion percentage (67.4%). In fantasy football rankings, he is #9 while ESPN ranks him the number 16 overall QB with a 57.1 QB rating.

Petzing’s philosophy is to run the ball effectively. This is why there are at least two tight ends on the field for most plays. They are extensions of the offensive line. Petzing wants this offense to finish in the Top-5 in run percentage, because every team that ends up in this group ends up with a spot in the postseason.

That is a glorious goal. It truly is. However, there have to be solid conditions in order to meet that goal.

For one, the team must have the right guys along the offensive line. No successful rushing attack will be a force with the horses up front.

Does Arizona have a stellar offensive line? Not even close.

Every Cardinal offensive lineman has a decreased grade in run blocking this year. With an offense predicated on running the ball successfully, this is devastating news. Look at the facts: The offense has yet to eclipse 300 total yards in a single game.

Here are the current Pro Football Focus grades on this group:

• T Paris Johnson Jr.: 57.4 (ranked #59 out of 97 at this position)
• 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)

Both guards are having a terrible year. This will change somewhat once Will Hernandez returns from his ACL tear. But when does this happen? In the meantime, the lack of ability to sustain blocks on the interior is hurting this year’s offense. Is there a reliable offensive guard out there that they can sign?

In all three games so far this year, all the Cardinals had to do was get one more first down, and the game was over. WR Zay Jones dropped a pass with 1:54 left in the San Francisco game, leading 15-13. This forced a punt, and the 49ers drove into field goal range for the winning kick.

Is it Petzing’s fault the Cardinals can’t close out games? He didn’t drop that pass. He doesn’t allow defensive tackles to come through like it’s a free bake sale.

The main issue is that there is a lack of production in the run game. And the ultimate success of the rushing attack is what this offense is built around. They average 4.3 yards per carry, which is ranked #17 in the league. The run game is ranked #19 in successful rushes for first down conversions (17), which means the running backs aren’t getting it done when they need to move the sticks in short yardage situations. This forces the offense to throw the ball instead.

Ultimately, the offensive line needs to be able to move bodies on those key third-down plays and convert more first downs on running plays. So far, that hasn’t been happening. Can the offensive line elevate its physicality in the trenches?

And now, the Cardinals’ lead back is out of the season. RB James Conner suffered a severe ankle injury against San Fran, which will require surgery and put him out for the season. That is crippling news for Petzing and his run-first mentality.

Can backup Trey Benson take control from this point on? So far, he has been a complementary option in this offense instead of the bellcow. Does Arizona need to reach out and sign a free agent back to either become the starter or as the backup to Benson?

RELATED: WHAT DOES LOSING JAMES CONNER MEAN?

This offense can’t complete its mission to be run-heavy if it doesn’t have the backs to accomplish this. Or the offensive line.

This limits Petzing. His offense is satisfied with minimal gains. His playcalling has become predictable and stagnant. 

If the offense is struggling to control the game with a strong rushing attack, as the game rolls along, why doesn’t Petzing adapt as the game develops?

It was obvious against the 49ers that this offense wasn’t going to get anything going running the ball. At the conclusion, the Cardinals had just 106 rushing yards, and 37 of those were Murray gaining positive yardage after being flushed from the pocket.

McBride is a very good receiver. So is Harrison. So is Michael Wilson if he is thrown the ball. He had just two targets with one catch in the Niners contest. Why? Benson has good hands. Okay, so the ground game isn’t going anywhere, so why not throw it in the second half instead?

Adapt to what the game will give you.

Petzing must be less predictable. He must adjust at halftime. If your plan is to get the run game going in order to open up the offense for Murray, and that is failing, then go a different route. Let’s see what happens when the offense has to toss the ball 45 times.

Why does there seem to be a refusal to get Harrison more involved? Where are Wilson’s playmaking abilities? Zay Jones?

And now, the Cardinals must continue without their best running back and face a very good defense in the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

Petzing has had this offense for three years plus now. Are the players responding to his philosophy? Why the increase in dropped passes?

There needs to be a change with this offense. That doesn’t necessarily mean to let Petzing go, but something new has to happen. Can passing game coordinator Drew Terrell become the playcaller? The Cardinals are #19 in scoring in the league. How can that change?

If Arizona has an issue with overcoming their problems with the offense and fixing the obvious, the balance of the schedule will become a rough ride until they figure out a resolution.

Consider this: If the Cardinals play on a national stage on Thursday Night and underperform offensively, on Friday morning, the league could see the first major change on any NFL club’s coaching staff.