Cardinals’ ugly defensive collapse makes quarterback gamble even harder to defend

The Arizona Cardinals entered the offseason knowing their decision to move on from Kyler Murray would place enormous pressure on the rest of the roster. Saturday’s 34-13 preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys showed why that quarterback gamble could unravel quickly.

Arizona’s defense surrendered 413 total yards, 23 first downs and 34 points despite facing Dallas’ backups. The Cardinals can debate whether Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew or eventually Carson Beck should lead the offense, but none of them is built to overcome a defense that performs like this.

Cardinals defense offered little resistance against Dallas

Joe Milton III entered the game competing with Sam Howell for the backup job behind Dak Prescott. He left State Farm Stadium looking far more dangerous than Arizona’s defense could handle.

Milton completed nine of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He added a rushing score while leading Dallas to a 24-6 halftime advantage. The Cowboys averaged 9.9 yards per pass attempt and 7.1 yards per offensive play.

Arizona also surrendered 175 rushing yards on 34 attempts. Dallas converted six of 10 third downs and scored touchdowns on three of its six red-zone trips.

The Cardinals rested most of their starters, so the performance does not offer a complete picture of the defense they will field in Week 1. It did expose concerning depth behind those starters. Injuries are inevitable during an NFL season, and Arizona cannot afford a sharp decline whenever a reserve enters the lineup.

Head coach Mike LaFleur did not attempt to soften the performance.

“It was the culmination of our week. We had a sloppy week of practice,” LaFleur said. “I don’t think we’ve practiced really well over the last week since Vegas.”

He then delivered an even more direct assessment.

“This, tonight, was a summary of that week in general.”

Arizona’s quarterback gamble requires defensive support

The Cardinals released Murray in March after seven seasons, accepting approximately $55 million in dead salary cap space. Arizona then handed Brissett a new contract guaranteeing him $15.5 million, with incentives capable of pushing its value to $21 million.

Brissett played well statistically after replacing Murray last season. He threw for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions, but Arizona went 1-11 in his starts.

That record was not entirely his fault. It also showed the limitation of building around a veteran quarterback who needs considerable help around him.

Brissett can operate the offense, protect the football and keep Arizona competitive when the running game and defense perform. Minshew provides similar insurance. Neither quarterback should be expected to chase opponents after the defense allows 24 points in one half.

That is where Arizona’s plan becomes difficult to defend. The Cardinals chose a temporary answer at the NFL’s most important position without surrounding that answer with a roster capable of reducing his burden.

Cardinals need more than quarterback stability

Minshew completed 19 of 23 passes for 177 yards against Dallas. His interception came after Simi Fehoko slipped, while two Arizona touchdowns were erased by penalties on the same drive.

The offense was not explosive, but it moved the football. Arizona finished with 325 total yards and controlled possession for more than 30 minutes. The defense simply could not keep the game within reach.

Beck remains the possible long-term answer, though the third-round rookie should not be treated as a guaranteed successor. Until Arizona knows what it has in him, Brissett will be asked to guide a roster that appears short on defensive depth.

Saturday did not prove the Cardinals chose the wrong starting quarterback. It showed they may have constructed the wrong roster for the quarterback plan they chose.