The Arizona Cardinals have a real chance at turning it all around
Time is running out for the Arizona Cardinals. Besides Frank Reich surprisingly getting hired over former Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks in Carolina, it feels like the head coaching search is reaching its final hour. Think of it like an hourglass; whichever team makes the next hire will set off an avalanche of hires. The Arizona Cardinals cannot afford to let Sean Payton out of their grasp.
For the Cardinals to even still have a shot at Payton is an absolute miracle, considering he’s had two interviews with the Denver Broncos. This is the coaching hire that would change everything for the team. An actual offensive genius with a proven track record of winning, and a Super Bowl title (albeit controversial) to his name. No one is going to elevate the offense like Payton would for Kyler Murray, and that’s where I think a lot of Cardinals fans are out of their mind for saying that “the third pick in the draft is too much!”.
I’m sorry, but look at what San Francisco and Los Angeles (Rams) have done the past few years. It’s the talent of the GM that’s gotten them good draft picks and players, which in return makes a head coach’s life easier. Nothing personal against Brian Flores or any of the other candidates, but Payton should be the guy Murray wants as his head coach. After all, Michael Bidwill did say Murray would have a hand in the search.
The question Arizona Cardinals fans need to ask themselves is; what’s more important? A Super Bowl title or drafting another defensive lineman who probably won’t play because Vance Joseph will still do what he does? If the answer isn’t the Super Bowl title, then you’re on your own. The last time the Cardinals hired a coach who had worked with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, it turned out pretty well. That was Bruce Arians with Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.
Now the team would obviously need to reach that lofty goal, but hiring Payton would signal that they are all-in on Murray. It would be a heavenly PR move, and it would almost extinguish the memories of the “Study Clause” offseason, the weird “ransom-like” note Murray’s agent Erik Burkhardt sent out, and a ton of other negative memories. It would unite the fanbase for the first time in the Murray era, which is rather sad to say, but the Cardinals have to sleep in the bed that they have made.
Letting Sean Payton go is a giant mistake
During his time in New Orleans as the Saints’ head coach, Payton’s offense ranked first in total yards six times- including his very first season! On top of that, he also had 11 seasons where his offense was in the top ten for total yards and points scored. So if you’re on that Will Anderson or Jalen Carter hype train, you should consider jumping off. What more evidence do fans of the Arizona Cardinals need?
We’ve always been seen as a joke, sans late 2008-2009 and 2013-15. No one in this league takes us seriously, and hiring Payton would do just that. It would bring respect to the team not only off the field, but on. Teams would need to legitimately gameplan against Payton, instead of just waltzing into State Farm stadium and running roughshod on the only natural grass in the desert. Heck. it might even save DeAndre Hopkins- which would be a phenomenal occurrence as he has not been utilized enough.
So, Mr.Payton, here’s your blank check. You name the price. And for Mr.Loomis in New Orleans, name your price and it will be done. This is the one shot the Arizona Cardinals have to win a Super Bowl with Kyler Murray.
Let’s hope they don’t screw it up.
