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Cardinals vs. Chiefs: Chandler Jones, Patrick Peterson have difficult job ahead

By Kody Latham

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals hugs quarterback Josh Rosen #3 during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals hugs quarterback Josh Rosen #3 during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Scouting the Offense

The Cardinals started this season with a new head coach in Steve Wilks. Wilks had bounced around the college ranks since 1999 until he entered the NFL in 2006. He had primarily been a defensive backs coach during his time in the NFL until the Cardinals decided to tap them to be their head coach after the retirement of Arians.

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Wilks’ staff has already taken a hit this season; the Cardinals fired their offensive coordinator Mike McCoy right after their humiliating defeat versus the Denver Broncos earlier this season. Before the Cardinals decided to let go of McCoy, they had the worst offense in the NFL—ranking 31st or 32nd in every single offensive category. To replace McCoy, Arizona decided to promote quarterbacks coach Byron Leftwich. Leftwich is a name most of you probably recognize since he played in the NFL as a quarterback for 10 years before retiring.

McCoy was not the only big name that the Cardinals have let go over the past few weeks. Sam Bradford signed a two year deal with the Cardinals this offseason to the tune of $20 million with $15 million guaranteed in the first year and a team option after 2018. After two games, which was both losses,  Arizona decided they have seen enough and Bradford was benched for 10th overall pick Josh Rosen. Until recently Bradford had been a consistent healthy scratch for the Cardinals. Until this week when Arizona decided to let the veteran quarterback go.

The Cardinals have said it is not due to performance issues with Bradford, but that they needed the roster spot. Arizona has had problems with injuries across their offensive line. Having put both starting center A.Q. Shipley and guard/tackle John Wetzel on injured reserve. Losing players on the offensive line has been difficult on Arizona’s young signal caller and his ability to try and get the ball to second-round pick Christian Kirk.

The offense may have come to life a bit with the change at offensive coordinator. Larry Fitzgerald had his highest receiving total for the year in Leftwich’s first game as offensive coordinator. The run game is still struggling even with David Johnson running the rock. With two weeks to prepare for the Chiefs, it will be interesting what the Cardinals have been able to come up with to attack the defense.

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