TEMPE — When it comes to keeping Arizona Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray upright, the offense has found its stride of late.
Over the past three weeks, it’s been a historically clean sheet in the sacks allowed department. That kind of streak hasn’t happened in Arizona since 1975.
Take it back a game further, and Arizona has allowed just one sack on 124 pass attempts. Before that, the Cardinals had given up 10 sacks across the first four games of the year.
Talk about a turnaround.
The recent showing now has Arizona tied for second in total sacks allowed (11) behind the Buffalo Bills (10).
What’s led to the Cardinals’ beefed-up protection?
For a Cardinals team that recently lost yet another starter along the offensive line in right guard Will Hernandez, it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise to see a regression in the trenches.
Instead, the rotation of Trystan Colon and rookie Isaiah Adams has proved effective the past three games. The tandem along with Kelvin Beachum, who has been Williams’ main replacement at right tackle, have held their own patching together their side of the line.
As for the left side, Paris Johnson Jr. continues to be everything this team envisioned as their anchor at left tackle, while Evan Brown has filled in nicely since coming aboard this offseason.
The credit certainly starts up front when talking protection.
“I can’t say enough about those guys. That O-line group and that relationship, they’re really the heart and soul of pretty much every team usually,” Murray said Wednesday. “We go as they go. They know that. Just love that group.
“Guys have been hurt. It’s no fun to see guys get hurt, but the next guy steps up. You got young guys playing, you got (Beachum) playing as an older guy. It’s good to see.”
But Murray also deserves a ton of recognition for what he’s put on tape so far.
The signal caller looks like vintage K1 running the rock and eluding defenders in 2024.
“He just does his little thing, then he’s all over the field and then he throws a touchdown. … I assume it’s pretty shitty for them, but we love it.”
Arizona Cardinals C Hjalte Froholdt on just how frustrating QB Kyler Murray (@K1) is for opposing defenses. pic.twitter.com/viaYgifSNw
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 28, 2024
“There were a couple of plays (Sunday) where they schemed us up and had a free runner and it was just like, ‘Hey, they got us.’ He just keeps making plays running around,” center Hjalte Froholdt said Monday. “You can definitely see the free runner was like, ‘Damn, I thought I had him,’ but then they were too excited when they got in there, because usually there’s not a quarterback that can move like that.
“They’re like, ‘Hell yeah, sack’ and then he just does his little thing and then he’s all over the field and then he throws a touchdown. … I assume it’s pretty (expletive) for them, but we love it.”
The success doesn’t stop with Murray and the offensive line, though.
Emari Demercado continues to carve out a meaningful role as a sturdy pass protector, while tight ends Trey McBride and Tip Reiman are more than holding their weight when called upon.
Arizona’s wide-receiving corps is also making a mark in head coach Jonathan Gannon’s eyes.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon on the leading factors behind the offense not allowing a sack the past three games.
“It starts with the O-line.” #AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/4e7o3n5T5D
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 29, 2024
“A lot of guys are winning one-on-ones. It starts with Hjalte getting us in the right things and guys doing a good job,” Gannon said Monday. “That’s what goes overlooked, too, sometimes are the backs, the tight ends and even the receivers where we’re chipping and chunking and thumping and thudding — all those different ways we term that for different reasons. I think they do a good job. Emari was awesome yesterday. I thought (James Conner) was awesome in pass pro.
“Then when they get you, they have a say, too. When they attack a protection or they dial an un-scouted look or they bring certain people that you don’t think that they’re going to bring, Kyler, it’s hard to get him on the ground one-on-one back there. I think that’s a thing that makes it challenging for a defense is even if you have a free runner, can that guy get him on the ground. Their premier player has a free run at him and he eludes him and we score a touchdown. That’s playmaking. But it starts with the O-line. They’re doing a good job.”
More help on the way
Arizona’s offense has been able to pitch shutouts in sacks without two key members of the line in Hernandez and offensive tackle Jonah Williams.
Hernandez won’t be making a return to action in 2024 due to a torn ACL. Williams, however, is trending the right way after the team designated him to return off of injured reserve on Monday.
The veteran now has 21 days to be activated off of IR or sit out the remainder of the season.
Williams, who was the team’s Week 1 starting right tackle, has 22 offensive snaps as a Cardinal after going down with a knee injury in Arizona’s season opener against Buffalo.
It’s unclear just how fast Williams can return to action. Either way, more depth appears on the way for Arizona’s O-line.
“I just remember being super protected that first game. I don’t think I had a hurry,” Murray said Wednesday. “I didn’t really feel it on the right side that first game.
“That was the only time I played with him. I understand he’s rehabbing to come back. Whenever he’s back, I’ll definitely be happy.”