Understanding Kyler Murray’s role in Drew Petzing’s offense

Why Cardinals’ fans could refrain from thinking that the current offense is conventional

The current buzz among Cardinals’ fans on social media is the prospect of Monti Ossenfort outbidding the Los Angeles Chargers for the services of UFA WR Keenan Allen. The rumor is that the Chargers have offered Allen a two-year $30M contract —- which the Cardinals can afford to match and transcend by agreeing to give Allen more guaranteed money.

The Keenan Allen to Arizona buzz was initiated by ESPN writer Jeffri Chadiha who claims that Allen is a “best fit” for the Cardinals.

Best NFL team fits for notable remaining free agents: J.K. Dobbins to Bears? Justin Simmons to Eagles?

Keenan Allen

WR · Age: 33

Arizona Cardinals

There are plenty of teams who need veteran help at wide receiver, but Allen fits in Arizona because the Cardinals must unlock all the potential in Marvin Harrison Jr., who was the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft. Arizona leaned on young players like Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch to work with Harrison at receiver in 2024. That’s not going to get it done, not for a team that displayed flashes of being closer to a playoff team than anybody imagined at this time last year. The 33-year-old Allen isn’t the same player he was in his prime — he had four 100-catch seasons in the previous five years before being traded to Chicago in 2024 — but he still knows how to operate from the slot. He delivered solid production with the Bears (70 receptions, 744 yards and seven touchdowns), and he can give quarterback Kyler Murray another dependable target to go along with tight end Trey McBride.

Piggybacking on Allen being a “best fit” for Cardinals?:

Keenan Allen’s remarkable career numbers:

Keenan Allen’s 2024 Stats with the Bears:

• Games: 15
• Targets: 121
• Receptions: 70
• Catch Rate: 57.9%
• Yards: 744
• Ave YPC: 10.6
• TDs: 7
• PFF Passing Game Grade; 68.2
• PFF Run Blocking Grade: 31.6
• PFF Overall Grade: 64.4

As the Bears reflected on their offensive priorities last season, they could have regretted giving Keenan Allen 20 more targets that their 1st round pick Rome Odunze (pick #9) who garnered 734 yards on 16 fewer receptions for a 13.9 average.

Kyler Murray’s priorities in drew Petzing’s offense:

1. Facilitate the team’s run-heavy 12 and 13 personnel schemes like an NBA point guard. He is essentially the Cardinals’ version of fellow Oklahoma standout Trae Young. Kyler always needs to be a threat to score, but his forte is centered around leading the offense in assists, by making as many of the offensive “touches” count.
2. To be extremely efficient in the passing game, on play action, drop back and pocket passes. Catch rate percentages are one of the most meaningful priorities for Drew Petzing, and therefore, for Kyler Murray.

2024 Top 100 Catch Rates in the NFL: (minimum of 30 receptions or 60 targets)

The Cardinals had three on that list —-

9. RB James Conner —- 85.5%

48. TE Trey McBride —- 75.5%

59. WR Greg Dortch —- 74.0%

These Top 100 rankings make Drew Petzing very proud, yet Petzing and Kyler Murray this off-season would like to improve on those numbers, seeing as James Conner is #9 overall, but also the #9 RB. Trey McBride is #48 overall, but also the #13 TE.

And with Gregg Dortch, one of the main reasons Monti Ossenfort and Drew Petzing wanted to tender him at $3.26M in order to keep him, in addition to his prowess as the team’s punt returner, is to give him more targets this year. Notice that Kyler has been talking up The Dorch on a regular basis and has been practicing with him a great deal this off-season.

Note: the 100th player on the 2024 Catch Rate Percentage was the 49ers’ rookie Ricky Pearsall at 67.4%.

The rate of 67.4% is number that Drew Petzing and Kyler Murray would prefer to achieve this year with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.

Kyler has told us —- he believes both MHJ and Michael Wilson are 1,000-yard caliber WR.

2024 Catch Rate Percentage:

• Michael Wilson —- 66.2% —- after 2 seasons, he’s on the cusp of the Top 100. His catch rate percentage as a rookie was 65.5%.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. —- 53.4% —- improving this catch rate is the off-season priority in the Cardinals’ passing game. MHJ has been putting on muscle and has been speed training big-time this off-season —- because he is going to be stronger on the perimeter this year and is going to contribute more often from the slot and in routes that employ short and long motion.

Additional Catch Rate Percentage stats that have Drew Petzing and Kyler Murray beaming:

• TE Elijah Higgins —- 83.3% (20/24)
• RBs Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas combined: 90.% (36/40)
• WR Zay Jones —- 72.7% (8/11)
• TE Tip Reiman —- 85.7% (6/7)

Petzing’s Priorities:

1. RB runs
2. TE targets
3. RB targets
4. WR1 targets
5. WR2 targets
6. QB runs
7. WR3 targets
8. TE2/TE3 targets

Petzing’s #1 Priority:

• Run blocking —- from every player on the field.

Conclusion:

Kyler clearly wants to build on the chemistry of the receivers he already has. Kyler also raves about the RAC dawg that is Greg Dortch. Let Kyler cook with the ballers he trusts.

People still under-estimate how much added pressure was put on Kyler Murray and Drew Petzing with regard to Marvin Harrison Jr.’s targets and performances. Who can blame them both for want to dig in this off-season for building on continuity and chemistry? The offense fell a little short on the test last year and this year, knowing what they learned from their experience last year, they want to ace it.

Now that’s a great catch!