CARDINALS CORNER

Kingsbury: Talk of being on hot seat warranted with current Cardinals play

Oct 17, 2022, 4:06 PM | Updated: 4:08 pm

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals calls a play during the first half against the ...

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals calls a play during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

TEMPE — The chances of being fired the same year you receive a contract extension is slim in the NFL.

But not impossible.

And after watching head coach Kliff Kingsbury and the Arizona Cardinals offense put up another putrid performance in a 19-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the noise for such a thing has only grown louder in the desert.

“I think that comes with the profession,” Kingsbury told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Monday. “I think when you have had the start that we’ve had offensively, that talk is going to be out there. Quite frankly, it should be.

“We should play better and we all know that. Week in and week out, we all feel like we’re kind of coaching for our jobs in this profession. We got to get better on offense.”

Through six weeks of the season, the Cardinals offense has looked completely out of sorts, save for a half of improbable football against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. Arizona is in the bottom half of the NFL in points per game with 19 and is middle of the road in total yards per game with 346. For an offense that is littered with talent, that is not the business.

The debacle in Week 6 was easily the most glaring when it comes to that unit, however.

Held to just three points against one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the Cardinals offense was manhandled on the road, a place where the team has been able to hang its hat with Arizona’s home woes still unsolved.

The only touchdown for the Cardinals on Sunday came courtesy of the defense, which is seeing its stellar performances result to little in recent weeks. Despite holding opponents to 20 points or fewer over the past four weeks — including the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles — Arizona has just one win under its belt over that span.

It’s not getting any easier for Kingsbury and Co., either.

While wideout DeAndre Hopkins is back in the fold for Week 7 after serving his six-game suspension, those eager to see the WR room at full strength will have to continue to wait with Hollywood Brown out indefinitely with a foot injury suffered in the loss to Seattle.

The Cardinals did acquire wide receiver Robbie Anderson from the Carolina Panthers on Monday, but the jury’s still out as to whether or not he’ll suit up with just a few days before the game kicks off. And even if he does, Kingsbury said he’ll be used in a limited basis.

Adding to the injury issues is starting left guard Justin Pugh, who will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury sustained in Seattle.

But as Kingsbury said on Monday, the Cardinals aren’t the only team dealing with key injuries at this point of the season. It’s the nature of the NFL and can’t be an excuse for this team’s transgressions six weeks in.

And if things don’t go the Cardinals’ way Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints, there might need to be a serious shake-up on how this team operates moving forward, with Kingsbury relinquishing play-calling duties — or at the very least taking a step back — already near the top of a lot of people’s wish list for this football team.

If that’s what has to happen to figure things out and jumpstart the offense before the season gets completely sideways, Kingsbury is all in.

“Definitely, whatever it takes to win, whatever it takes to score points,” Kingsbury told Wolf & Luke. “Anything goes in this league and so we’ll examine all avenues.

“Obviously on a short week, that’d be tough to go by, but we’ll see how things go. Whatever it takes to make us to get better, I’m all for it.”

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Western Governors University
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury speaks at a news conference after his team's NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) fumbles while sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor (52) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. Cardinals offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, right, recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (89) runs against Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander is honored into the team's Ring of Honor during halftime of an NFL football game between the Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles away from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander is honored into the team's Ring of Honor during halftime of an NFL football game between the Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes in front of Seattle Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor (52) during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches from the sideline during the second half of his team's NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin, middle left, runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Myjai Sanders, top, sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz, right, catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks safety Ryan Neal during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) fumbles while tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. The ball was recovered by Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals' Chris Banjo, middle, celebrates after recovering a fumble for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) cannot catch a pass in front of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Tanner Vallejo during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs for a touchdown against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates a touchdown run by running back Kenneth Walker III during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks safety Ryan Neal, left, breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz, right, catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll greets players during the second half of his team's NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, bottom, reacts after being sacked against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) celebrates with safety Josh Jones after intercepting a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown, left, during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown, rear, during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks defensive end Shelby Harris (93) gestures toward fans during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride reacts on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, runs against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Shelby Harris (93) and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (77) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) celebrates after sacking Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence (90) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) runs in front of Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) drops back to pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reacts after a tackle against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) runs against Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Caean Couto) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) cannot catch a pass against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) cannot catch a pass over Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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