Cam Skattebo to the Cardinals? Don’t even think about it

The run games for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants have looked a lot different than expected six weeks in.

For the Cardinals, rookie running back Jeremiyah Love continues to deal with ankle issues and has already missed a game. He has yet to be that explosive threat just about all of us expected him to be out of the gates.

As for who stepped up in his place last week, it wasn’t Tyler Allgeier, one of Arizona’s notable free-agent additions this offseason. It was Bam Knight, who provided a boost that had been missing in the backfield.

It’s even weirder on the Giants’ side of things, though.

After entering the season as the unquestioned RB1, Arizona State alum Cam Skattebo did not touch the rock last week and only saw six offensive snaps after coughing up the football four times in a five-week span. Six Giants ran the football. None were named Skattebo.

Not good!

Then follow it up with two very different postgame explanations from the player, who told reporters he was punished, and head coach John Harbaugh, who said Skattebo’s zero touches were not by design.

Naturally, that has led to questions of whether Skattebo is still in favor in the Big Apple under new coaches, or if the franchise would potentially look to move the bruising running back.

Should the Cardinals trade for Cam Skattebo?

Given his ASU ties, it didn’t take long for the dot connecting to come about as a potential trade target for the Cardinals.

That, however, should absolutely not happen — even with the potential for jersey sales and putting Arizona in a frenzy with the Sun Devil back in town.

Sure, it’s a fun idea, but there’s just too many layers to any sort of pairing.

On one side, Arizona has already allocated more than enough money to the running backs room. Remember, Love paces all NFL running backs in guaranteed money at $53 million and was the No.3 overall pick.

Allgeier is aboard on a two-year, $12 million deal with $8 million of that guaranteed.

Had the Cardinals not drafted Love or signed Allgeier, there would be an opening to potentially consider Skattebo.

Even if they did either of those things, Skattebo’s fumbling issues stand out as he has five in 13 career games when he’s touched the football.

That’s a stark difference from Allgeier, who has yet to fumble in 73 career games.

What about potential compensation? New York isn’t just going to give him away.

For a general manager fighting to keep his job in Monti Ossenfort, it all just screams nonstarter.

And let’s be honest, while Skattebo would bring some added juice, the Cardinals got more than enough out of Knight sliding in as the hot hand last week.

There’s plenty to clean up in Arizona’s run game, especially in the red zone, but it’s not to the point where a drastic move like a Skattebo trade is needed.

I’d also like to see where James Conner is at — and if a return is even in the cards at this rate — before looking elsewhere.

Related

Larry Fitzgerald shares theory for why Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Cardinals tenure fell flatJake Plummer shares Cardinals experience that compares to Carson BeckReport: Jeremiyah Love expected to miss Cardinals-Broncos gameLarry Fitzgerald’s Cardinals Ring of Honor induction will be his long-overdue curtain callChad Ryland wins ‘Nickelodeon Valuable Player’ after kicking game-winning field goalMike LaFleur and others share their best Larry Fitzgerald memories