In his first year as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator, Nick Rallis led one of the league’s worst defensive units during the 2023 season. The defense ranked second to last in points allowed per game (26.8) and in the percentage of drives where the opposing offense scored (44.0%). As he heads into his second year, significant defensive improvements are crucial for the Cardinals to contend for a playoff spot.
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During the offseason, the Cardinals heavily invested in bolstering their defense through free agency. They acquired cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., and defensive tackles Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols. Additionally, they dedicated three of their top six picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to defensive players, selecting defensive lineman Darius Robinson and cornerbacks Max Melton and Elijah Jones. “I love what [general manager] Monti [Ossenfort] was able to do over the offseason to improve the depth and competitiveness at each position,” Rallis said, as seen in a video on the Arizona Cardinals’ YouTube channel.
These moves aim to enhance a defense that allowed the most rushing yards (2,434) in the NFL last season. Their struggle to stop the run made them vulnerable on third downs, leading to the highest conversion rate allowed at 47.8%. This enabled opposing offenses to extend drives and score, putting additional pressure on an offense that missed its starting quarterback for the first nine weeks, creating a difficult situation for much of the season. In Year 2, Rallis describes his defense’s identity as “Motor and Violence.” He aims to see them win the takeaway battle and limit explosive plays, although practicing these elements is challenging with limited offseason contact.
“We do practice motor, and we have designations on the practice field to measure that, setting expectations and identifying what’s unacceptable,” Rallis explained. “We coach that up. Violence is something you have to bring on game day. While we have ways to measure physicality in our play, it’s an element you can’t practice—you have to show up with that mentality on game day.” When asked if motor leads to violence, Rallis confidently responded, “Absolutely,” emphasizing that they go hand-in-hand and good things happen when they are around the ball.
With the additions of Murphy-Bunting, Melton, and Jones to the cornerback room, Rallis anticipates increased competition at the position. Second-year corners Garrett Williams and Kei’Trel Clark, who started six and seven games respectively as rookies last season, will also compete for spots. Murphy-Bunting’s versatility, with experience playing in the slot from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allows for creative ways to get the best players on the field.
“It’s highly competitive and spots are up for grabs, which is a great problem to have. I’m excited—it’s going to be a really good competition. I want to see players make strides during training camp, leading to tough decisions on who will earn certain roles.” With a stronger cornerback room in 2024, the hope is that the Cardinals’ defense will also be more resilient against the passing game. Although they weren’t tested as much due to opponents’ success on the ground, the secondary now has talented players to work with.
Enhancing the defense will be one of the four major keys to a successful 2024 season.