The Arizona Cardinals have a new head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive philosophy. After four seasons with a spread offense with Air Raid principles under Kliff Kingsbury, they will run something more traditional.
While head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing have said very little schematically about the offense in 2023 other than the fact that quarterback Kyler Murray will be more under center than he has in the past, we can make strong assumptions on the offensive philosophy.
While they preach adaptability, the offense will likely be based on principles of the West Coast offense, developed by Bill Walsh in the late 1970s, which revolutionized the league.
How do we know this?
We just have to look at Petzing’s coaching background.
He has worked with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland and when they were with the Vikings. Stefanski and Petzing worked for Pat Shurmur.
Pat Shurmur worked for Doug Pederson with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pederson worked for Andy Reid. Andy Reid was influenced by Mike Holmgren. Holmgren was led by Walsh.
Cardinals fans have not seen the West Coast offense on their team since Dennis Green in the early 2000s.
In the West Coast offense, the quarterback must be quick and accurate. Throws on slants and flat routes are common. Running backs must be versatile.
Almost all offenses now incorporate spread concepts, so we should expect to see West Coast and spread principles as the Cardinals play on offense in 2023.
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