Yardbarker
x
'He's definitely a rookie': Should Cardinals OC Nathaniel Hackett's early assessment of first-round RB Jeremiyah Love ring alarm bells?
Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

'He's definitely a rookie': Should Cardinals OC Nathaniel Hackett's early assessment of first-round RB Jeremiyah Love ring alarm bells?

By Clark Dalton  |  Last updated Jul 26, 2026 3:47 PM ET
Google Add us as a preferred source on Google

Is Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett not loving what he's seen from rookie running back Jeremiyah Love thus far?

The Cardinals took former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Love with pick No. 3 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Whenever a team selects a back that high in the draft, they usually assume RB1 duties immediately. The Las Vegas Raiders, for example, almost immediately named Ashton Jeanty their starting RB after grabbing him with pick No. 6 in 2025. 

Hackett, however, refused to name Love as the starting RB during a Saturday news conference at training camp. That's not necessarily a big deal, as it's still early in the offseason and all teams want rookies to understand nothing's handed to them, even if they're first-round picks. But the OC didn't speak glowingly of Love, either. 

Nathaniel Hackett discusses Jeremiyah Love's offseason

"He's definitely a rookie, and as we've talked about, he'll keep growing every single day," Hackett said of Love. "Very excited for him. All those guys, not just him. I'm very excited about this room. There are a lot of guys that have a lot of carries, a lot of experience that can do multiple things."

Along with Love, the Cardinals RB room includes veterans James Conner and Tyler Allgeier. Both are solid rotation backs. Conner has rushed for 6,065 yards and 60 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cardinals, making two Pro Bowls. Allgeier, meanwhile, ran for 2,876 yards and 18 TDs in four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. 

The Cardinals didn't take Love to sit behind them, though, making Hackett's comment even more odd. Coaches usually praise their first-round rookie RB. 

"[P]retty d— pleased with [RB] Bijan [Robinson] so far," former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said early in training camp in 2023. 

Robinson — pick No. 8 of the 2023 draft — has made two Pro Bowls and earned one first-team All-Pro nod in three seasons with Atlanta. Love should have a similar ceiling. He won the 2025 Doak Walker Award as the best RB in college football after ranking eighth in the nation in rushing yards (1,372 on 199 carries) and tying for third in rushing TDs (18). 

"Love is the best player regardless of position in the 2026 draft class," wrote The Ringer's Steve Muench in his predraft scouting report.

Hackett may have been trying to downplay the excitement surrounding Love, but botched the attempt. Those who remember his disastrous 2022 season as Denver Broncos head coach know that handling the media isn't his strong suit.

Cardinals fans who are hoping that Love provides the franchise with needed pizzazz after a 3-14 2025 season shouldn't worry yet. They'll get a better idea of how much progress the RB is making in the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 6 (NBC, 8 p.m. ET) in Canton, Ohio. 

Clark Dalton
X Muck Rack

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.