What Is 2019 Arizona Cardinals football team

Overview

The 2019 Arizona Cardinals season marked the franchise's 100th year in the National Football League (NFL) and the 34th since relocating to Arizona. Under first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury, the team transitioned to a modern, pass-heavy offensive scheme centered around rookie quarterback Kyler Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Playing their home games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the Cardinals showed flashes of promise but struggled with consistency. Despite improvements in offense, the defense remained a weak point, and the team ultimately missed the playoffs with a losing record.

• Kyler Murray started all 16 games as quarterback, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to do so and throwing for 3,572 yards and 20 touchdowns.
• The team finished 5-10-1, a two-game improvement over their 3-13 record in 2018, but still ranked near the bottom of the NFC West.
• Head coach Kliff Kingsbury implemented an Air Raid-inspired offense, making him the first NFL head coach with such a collegiate background.
• Wide receiver Christian Kirk emerged as a key target, recording 717 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his second season.
• Defensive end Chandler Jones led the team with 12.0 sacks, extending his streak of double-digit sack seasons to five consecutive years.

How It Works

The 2019 Arizona Cardinals operated under a new coaching regime and offensive philosophy, fundamentally shifting how the team approached game planning and player development.

• Offensive Scheme: The Cardinals adopted a spread-style Air Raid offense, emphasizing quick passes, quarterback mobility, and up-tempo play, a system rarely used in the NFL before.
• Quarterback Development:Kyler Murray was drafted to lead this system, combining elite speed with strong arm talent, and he recorded 544 rushing yards—a franchise record for a QB.
• Defensive Strategy: The defense used a base 3-4 alignment but struggled with coverage, allowing an average of 27.1 points per game, ranking 27th in the league.
• Coaching Transition: After parting ways with Steve Wilks, the Cardinals hired Kliff Kingsbury in 2019, marking a bold shift toward innovative, analytics-friendly coaching.
• Player Personnel: General manager Steve Keim focused on youth and speed, drafting eight rookies, including Murray and linebacker Zaven Collins (later drafted in 2021).
• Stadium Operations: State Farm Stadium hosted all home games, featuring a retractable roof and field, with an average attendance of 60,714 per game.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Arizona Cardinals compared to other NFC West teams:

The Cardinals ranked last in their division both in wins and defensive performance. While their offense improved under Murray, allowing 432 points was the third-worst in the NFL, highlighting major defensive deficiencies. The contrast with the dominant 49ers and resilient Seahawks underscored how far the Cardinals still had to go to compete in the NFC West.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a foundational year for the Cardinals, setting the stage for future growth and cultural change within the organization. It represented a shift from rebuilding to reimagining team identity through modern football strategies.

• The selection of Kyler Murray signaled a commitment to innovation, making Arizona one of the first teams to fully embrace dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL era.
• Kliff Kingsbury's hiring challenged traditional coaching norms, influencing other teams to consider non-traditional candidates with college offensive expertise.
• The team’s investment in analytics and tempo-based play contributed to a broader league-wide trend toward faster, more dynamic offensive systems.
• Despite missing the playoffs, the Cardinals’ young core generated increased ticket sales and merchandise revenue in 2020 due to renewed fan optimism.
• The 2019 season laid the groundwork for future improvements, culminating in a 11-6 season in 2021 and a playoff berth.
• It also highlighted ongoing challenges in defensive personnel development, an area the team would continue to address in subsequent drafts.

Ultimately, the 2019 Arizona Cardinals were not a winning team, but they were a turning point—ushering in a new era of football philosophy and fan engagement in the desert.