Despite turmoil, Arizona Cardinals RB David Johnson remains confident

In 2016, Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson posted 2,118 yards from scrimmage in a breakout campaign. Two years later, Johnson and the Cardinals are struggling to find a rhythm to start off the season.

Over the first two games of the year, Arizona has put up just six total points and rank last in the league in total yards with 350. One major factor in their early-season difficulties has been the lack of production out of the backfield.

Johnson has carried the ball just 22 times for 85 yards and has been targeted only 11 times thus far.

In spite of his weakened usage, Johnson remains confident in his coaches.

“I feel like the coaches will definitely figure out ways,” Johnson said. “They’re in the NFL for a reason, they’ve made it this way as NFL coaches for a reason and they’ll figure out ways to utilize, no matter if it’s just me but Fitz and other guys.”

Johnson’s team-first mentality is one of many traits that makes him so valuable to the Cardinals franchise. Reliability is key, but it takes a collective effort between players and coaches to ensure that a team can create a winning product on the field.

For head coach Steve Wilks, the proper use of their assets is direly important in the pursuit of their first victory.

“David is a team player,” Wilks said. “He’s all about the team and he’s still doing what he needs to do to prepare himself and most importantly to make sure when we do call on him, that he can answer the bell.”

For Arizona, these first few weeks serve as a period of change throughout the organization. Wilks, who replaced the recently-retired Bruce Arians, is experiencing his first season as a head coach in the pros and has been tasked with integrating a new quarterback in Sam Bradford.

All the while, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is working to re-implement Johnson, who missed the 2017-18 season with a dislocated wrist, to the offense. Naturally, it’s taking some time for the Cardinals to adapt as a group and return to form. Johnson is facing an entirely different coaching style than he did in his 2016 campaign.

“I’m not being split out more but I’m doing routes out of the back field and being utilized that way,” Johnson said.” Like I said, the offensive scheme is different.”

With 14 games remaining in the 2018-19 slate, there’s plenty of time for Arizona to put their offense together. With Johnson in the backfield and legendary wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the slot, Arizona has the offensive foundation of their 2016 squad.

“There’s still optimism,” Johnson said. “We’re still learning what people bring to the table and I feel like we’ll definitely get it going. We just need one win, to get one groove going as far as the offense. Get the ball moving and we’ll get the hang of things.”

The Cardinals return to Glendale on Sunday to face the Chicago Bears. Kickoff is at 1:25 on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.