The Arizona Cardinals come into their Week 6 matchup with the Cleveland Browns with a lot up in the air due to COVID-19. With head coach and offensive play-caller Kliff Kingsbury out, Vance Joseph and Jeff Rodgers will split the head coaching duties.
Kingsbury has been able to meet with his team and coaches remotely since his COVID positive diagnosis to make as many game plans as possible. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Kingsbury is not able to be in communication with them during the game.
The Browns have already experienced a similar situation last year when head coach Kevin Stefanski. Unlike Arizona, Cleveland had a much clearer set of changes when Stefanski went out. Mike Priefer stepped into the head coaching duties, along with his role as special teams coach, while Alex Van Pelt took over Stefanski’s play-calling duties.
While the Cardinals split head coaching responsibilities, they are also planning to split offensive game plan and play-calling responsibilities between coaches and players, according to Albert Breer and Mike Garafolo:
Updating this: Sean Kugler will actually just handle the Cardinals run game. Pass game = group effort, with young assistants getting a good opportunity. Jeff Rodgers will have the challenge flag/handle game management.
Team meetings are virtual tonight (Kingsbury can take part). https://t.co/Fn1Mpb3rjJ
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 16, 2021
Kliff Kingsbury will script as much as he can going into the game. From there, it'll be a collaborative approach for the #AZCardinals on offense, with the coaches and even QBs Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy having input on play calling. https://t.co/dMbD1eCbaS
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 16, 2021
With so many hands in the offense, it will be interesting to see if Arizona’s offense has continuity. With a short play clock, the Cardinals will need a clear vision for their decisions a play or two ahead of time while also trying to consult Kingsbury’s plans and those involved in the run or pass game decision making.
A lot is up in the air for Arizona. Will splitting responsibilities up help them shoulder the load or cause a disjointed team in Week 6?
