The Case For Josh Rosen Taking Over the Arizona Cardinals Offense
![GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals calls a play during the preseason NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals calls a play during the preseason NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/39c6919a0c75463d070e8186b9cb23f2f25df59b128cde5fad3208ad666b6aec.jpg)
Looking at why it’s time for rookie Josh Rosen to start at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.
If you’ve paid any attention to the Arizona Cardinals over the first two games of the season, you know that it’s been real, real bad for them. Specifically, it’s been bad for Sam Bradford. And while I liked the idea of Bradford to start the year, it’s clear that the team is not going to “shock everybody” this year. As a whole, they’re a project, so their biggest project, Rosen, needs to start getting reps.
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Through two games, Bradford has led the Cardinals to just six points in eight quarters. On top of that, he has an embarrassingly low yards-per-attempt average (3.98). Not only is his yards-per-attempt the lowest in the NFL but the next worst is a full yard-and-change higher (Mitch Trubisky, 5.38).
With that said, the clock is ticking on Bradford. Like Baker Mayfield in the Cleveland Browns Thursday Night Football game against the Jets, I expect Rosen to be a few poor throws or drives away from strapping up for his debut in Arizona’s Week 3 game.
At this point, the Cardinals just need a spark. Rosen, with all his hype and tools, supplies precisely that. With only six points in two games, you know the team lacks confidence — both sides of the ball. When that happens, everyone is just plain flat out there. And like we saw with Cleveland, everyone — including the fans — gets a whole new swagger in their step when the future QB takes the field.
To me, that’s the most important thing right now. I mean, how many more times do we want to get shut out? But besides that, Rosen can move around better than Bradford and is more dynamic at this point. Since Arizona’s O-line is so spotty, that’s a big reason why Bradford has been settling for quick, check-down type throws.
Read. 5 Ugliest Stats From Arizona Cardinals Week 2 Loss. light
Overall, Rosen will be able to use the experience in these games for what should be a more promising season in 2019. If they’re going into a season with Rosen as the unquestioned starter, you can bet they have more weapons in tow. Maybe, just maybe, they can secure the hometown phenom N’Keal Harry in the 2019 NFL Draft.