Chiefs 2022 Opponent Overview: Arizona Cardinals

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We have finally made it! Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is quickly approaching. One of the more intriguing games in the late afternoon window, the Kansas City Chiefs will be traveling to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. Both teams are coming off of crushing playoff losses from last year’s postseason. For the Chiefs, they were one game away from reaching their third straight Super Bowl. A blown lead squandered that. Meanwhile, the Cardinals looked completely lost and overmatched in the Wild Card round against the eventual Super Bowl LVI champions, the Los Angeles Rams.

A fresh season brings plenty of unknowns and questions. Kansas City is looking to prove themselves offensively after making many personnel changes. To boot, they have also become much younger on defense. Arizona did not quite make as many adjustments to their roster. Though, one notable add for Arizona is the trade acquisition of wide receiver Marquise Brown. Can he take the reins and lead the pass catching group while DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games?

More on some of the key matchups and game planning will be covered right here throughout this week. Today, we will be giving our own view of the Arizona Cardinals entering their matchup with the Chiefs. What can Kansas City expect from their offense and defense? Let’s kick it off.

Murray Gets Money, Looking To Take Next Step

It was an awkward offseason at times between the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray. There were times when it felt like he would be holding out or would not be committing to Arizona long-term. Murray’s agent even sent a rather interesting letter with certain contract demands during negotiations. In the end, each side found a common ground. The Cardinals signed Murray to a five-year contract extension worth $230.5 million.

The contract does multiple things for the quarterback himself. For one, Murray is now completely locked in as the unquestioned leader of the Cardinals for the next handful of years. This deal also allows the passer to currently hold the third-highest average annual value per season among quarterback contracts. Only Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are set to earn a higher average salary per season, as things currently stand. Finally, the contract gives Murray the certainty and belief that he was looking for from the Cardinals organization.

While getting your money and landing that major deal is important for the player itself, a lot is riding on how Murray performs this season. Arizona once again saw a sharp decline in both he and the offense’s performance in the second half of a season last year. That is two consecutive years where that has occurred. On the other hand, the Cardinals face many questions surrounding their decision-making. This involves both coaching decisions and roster construction alike. Certainly, not all of those questions or faults falls solely on Murray’s shoulders. Arizona is looking for him to completely block out the noise and finally overcome his obstacles, however. If he can, the Cardinals will have a much easier road to follow in how to better build around this young quarterback.

Is Arizona Offense Deep Enough To Contend?

We alluded to Hopkins being suspended earlier. Without their best wide receiver, it will take all of the other skill players’ best efforts, in order for the Cardinals offense to succeed. Beyond finding success, staying afloat early may be an extremely difficult challenge offensively. Arizona has a brutal opening schedule in 2022. Kicking things off with the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams is no easy task.

Additionally, the Cardinals have an odd mix of experience and contrasting play styles at wide receiver, sans Hopkins. Brown and Rondale Moore are more gadget players who mainly rely on explosive plays. Will they be able to consistently get open? AJ Green had some flashes last season. Though, the former Cincinnati Bengal is fighting on his last legs as a denser pass catcher. It is anyone’s guess as to what you will get out of Andy Isabella or Greg Dortch as depth pieces.

Arguably, the greatest strength of the Cardinals skill players are the running backs and tight ends. Murray found chemistry with Zach Ertz after a trade last year. Maxx Williams has been a solid backup tight end as well. From a running back perspective, James Conner had a renaissance season last year. Interestingly, he topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season for the first time in three years. Darrel Williams comes over from Kansas City as a bruising, dual-threat player out of the backfield.

There is definitely some talent on this Cardinals offense. Murray can create so much with his legs and imagination. However, with a spread offense that wins with quick attacks, will that work to rely on the running backs and tight ends? Arizona may have to truly adjust with emphasizing those spots, if they want to contend in 2022.

Depth Players Must Take Leap On Defense

Similar to the Arizona wide receiver room, there is star power lacking throughout the entire Cardinals defense. You have JJ Watt leading the pass rush up front. Markus Golden has been a serviceable producer in that area as well. In the back seven, Byron Murphy has been an occasional pest when defending the pass. But outside of those spurts, the Cardinals have been depending on niche players or role players.

If Arizona wants to take a leap and contend deeper into the postseason, their defensive depth players must show noticeable improvement. Names like Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins are looking to lock down a true role or identity. In the secondary, Marco Wilson and Jalen Thompson must prove that they can limit the explosive plays to a minimum. This group will be exhausted and heavily tested with the aggressive and high-paced opposing offenses that they will face. As we know with the Chiefs to kick things off in Week 1, the Arizona Cardinals defense will face a relentless group to open the season.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.