{"id":905651,"date":"2026-05-30T22:24:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T22:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/905651\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T22:24:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T22:24:20","slug":"espn-just-gave-the-cardinals-one-of-the-biggest-compliments-of-the-offseason-and-its-hard-to-argue-with-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/905651\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN just gave the Cardinals one of the biggest compliments of the offseason, and it&#8217;s hard to argue with"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/teams\/arizona\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Arizona;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Arizona&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arizona<\/a> completely overhauled a roster area that badly needed it, and it might have been the best remodeling job in the entire NFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2026 offseason with more than their fair share of roster needs. From offensive line to front seven to <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/grading-pick-arizona-cardinals-nfl-044547532.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:finding a quarterback solution down the road;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;finding a quarterback solution down the road&quot;}\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">finding a quarterback solution down the road<\/a>, the Cardinals had plenty of work to do coming into March.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">But reestablishing a capable ground game was also among those objectives, and beyond fixing a problematic offensive line, upgrading their running back room also was important.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">And how general manager Monti Ossenfort did just that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">The Cardinals added a between the tackles hammer in former <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/teams\/atlanta\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Atlanta Falcons;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Atlanta Falcons&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta Falcons<\/a> RB <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/34107\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Tyler Allgeier;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Tyler Allgeier&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyler Allgeier<\/a>. The ex-BYU product eclipsed 1000 yards his rookie season and served as the thunder to <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/40055\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Bijan Robinson;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Bijan Robinson&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bijan Robinson<\/a>\u2019s lightning over the next three years.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">But Arizona made dozens of teams jealous when they nabbed Notre Dame\u2019s Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft back in April.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Now, with a group of Love\/Allgeier\/James Conner, the Cardinals have arguably one of the better rooms in the NFL. And for that reason, ESPN\u2019s Ben Solak listed the Cardinals\u2019 RB room overhaul as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/48903726\/2026-nfl-offseason-ranking-top-10-biggest-position-upgrades-improvements\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:single greatest positional group improvement;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;single greatest positional group improvement&quot;}\" class=\"link \">single greatest positional group improvement<\/a> in the entire NFL.<\/p>\n<p>ESPN ranks the Cardinals\u2019 RB overhaul as the greatest positional group improvement in the NFL<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cAt this point, the Love and Allgeier combo makes the Cardinals\u2019 RB room one of the league\u2019s most improved positional groups, hence the No. 1 ranking here,\u201d Solak wrote. \u201cLove has the lightning-quick speed and tackle-breaking ability to pair nicely with Allgeier\u2019s gristly style, and he catches the passes on third down that Allgeier doesn\u2019t want to see. Of course, any selection of a back with the No. 3 pick predicts a dominant share of touches, and Allgeier was signed for only $6 million per year, so an even workload split is far from guaranteed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Solak would go on to say that Allgeier is an interesting trade candidate for Arizona with Love on board.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cWith the drafting of Love, Allgeier becomes an interesting trade candidate. Even in this young NFL offseason, there are teams with fluctuating running backs rooms. <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/teams\/green-bay\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Packers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Packers&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Packers<\/a> RB\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/31856\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Josh Jacobs;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Josh Jacobs&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Jacobs<\/a>\u00a0was arrested this week, then released amid an ongoing investigation into domestic violence charges; his status for the 2026 season is in question. Buccaneers RB\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/40993\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Bucky Irving;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Bucky Irving&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bucky Irving<\/a>\u00a0is out for the summer and potentially into the fall with lingering shoulder issues. And the Jaguars\u2019 RB room, featuring\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/41900\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Bhayshul Tuten;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Bhayshul Tuten&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bhayshul Tuten<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/40231\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Chris Rodriguez Jr.;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Chris Rodriguez Jr.&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chris Rodriguez Jr.<\/a>, is still mighty thin. If the Cardinals want to trade Allgeier, despite signing him to a multiyear free agent contract just months ago, they should have suitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">I have a hard time seeing the Cardinals part with Allgeier absent a strong offer from a desperate team. Arizona\u2019s health struggles with <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/30218\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Conner;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Conner&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Conner<\/a> and <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/players\/40958\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Trey Benson;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Trey Benson&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trey Benson<\/a> have been well documented. Conner has missed four or more games three times in the last four years, including 14 games in 2025. Benson missed 13 games last year after missing four in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Meanwhile, Allgeier has been a pillar of reliability and steady production in his four years in the NFL. He appeared in 16 games in his rookie season and all 17 for each of the last three years. Over that span, he\u2019s carried the ball 676 times for 2876 yards and 18 touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">If Arizona wants to have the days behind them of relying on fringe roster players to play significant snaps, then moving someone like Conner and\/or Benson would be the move, with Allgeier again set to play an important second back role as he did in Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">In any event, finally, the Cardinals appear to have a good problem on their hands just a year removed from having a nightmare in their backfield.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Arizona completely overhauled a roster area that badly needed it, and it might have been the best remodeling&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":905652,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2078],"tags":[375,390,2604,254,2777,4127,312,1327,9764,2622,7,4129,6,428,6957,25211,11410],"class_list":["post-905651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arizona-cardinals","tag-arizona","tag-arizona-cardinals","tag-arizonacardinals","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-bhayshul-tuten","tag-bijan-robinson","tag-bucky-irving","tag-cardinals","tag-chris-rodriguez-jr","tag-conner","tag-football","tag-josh-jacobs","tag-nfl","tag-packers","tag-the-cardinals","tag-trey-benson","tag-tyler-allgeier"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116665874093860190","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=905651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905651\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/905652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=905651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=905651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=905651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}