After several key additions to their defense, the Arizona Cardinals are turning attention to their offense ahead of the 2025 season. The team returns seventh-year quarterback Kyler Murray and mainstays such as tight end Trey McBride, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and running back James Conner. With offensive coordinator Drew Petzing continuing his system, emerging talent is expected to play a greater role.
Second-year running back Trey Benson is being highlighted as a potential breakout player. Sports Illustrated’s Shawn Childs included Benson in a list of top five fantasy football sleepers for 2025. Childs wrote, “In the 2024 NFL Draft, Bensen was the second running back selected with the second pick in the third round. He is a between-the-tackles runner with the wiggle and power to make defenders miss in tight quarters. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, showing his ability to finish runs over the long field if given daylight at the second level of the defense (…) His role and opportunity point to workhorse upside at the next level. Bensen will get plenty of chances at the goal line, with a reasonable floor catching the ball. His vision must improve, and his speed is more built up than sudden. Benson should handle himself in pass protection (…) Bensen finished with 350 combined yards with one touchdown and six catches on 69 touches. He gained 5.1 yards per chance. Over the past week, Benson is the 39th-ranked running back in the high-stakes market, with a high ceiling if James Conner has an injury.” This assessment points toward increased opportunities for Benson.
Within team discussions throughout offseason training camps and interviews, Cardinals players and coaches have pointed out that they see two starting-caliber runners on their roster. “I think this will be a big breakout year for Trey (…). I think it’s just confidence and then reps, and letting the game slow down for him, and just continuing to play more football. The more football he’s gonna play, the better he’s gonna be,” Murray said earlier this month regarding Benson’s progress.
Benson did not participate during Week Two of preseason against Denver Broncos along with other starters and remains unlikely to play this coming weekend against Las Vegas Raiders as he is held out as part of coach decision-making surrounding first-string personnel.
James Conner added when asked about sharing starting responsibilities: “That’s how we’ve been approaching it and looking at it, truthfully (…) He’s gonna play a lot this year.”
As expectations grow around Arizona’s offensive lineup for this season, all eyes remain on whether Benson can capitalize on his opportunities alongside established contributors such as Marvin Harrison Jr.
