The Cardinals Threw Rookie Josh Rosen Into The Fire Late Against The Bears

The Arizona Cardinals dropped to 0-3 on the season with a 16-14 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday at home. The Cardinals scored both of their touchdowns in the first quarter, and then the offense would get shutout the rest of the way, an all too familiar sight to the Arizona faithful.

Both touchdowns came from Sam Bradford passes, one on a 35-yarder to Ricky Seals-Jones and the other a 21-yard pass to David Johnson on the first play after a Bears fumble. However, from there Bradford struggled as he has most of this early season. Three Bradford turnovers — two interceptions and a fumble — led to 13 Chicago points.

Since Week 1, Cardinals fans have been asking for Bradford to be replaced by rookie Josh Rosen out of UCLA. For a team clearly not going anywhere with Bradford at the helm, it’s understandable to ask for Rosen to at least get reps and grow as an NFL quarterback. On Sunday, fans go their wish, but not in the situation that’s ideal for a rookie to make his first ever appearance in an actual NFL game.

With just over four minutes to play in the fourth quarter and the Bears having just kicked a field goal to go up two after a Bradford fumble, the Cardinals decided now was the time to turn to Rosen. The rookie came in and made a few good throws, but the drive ended with a fourth down attempt getting picked off on the right sideline.

From there, the Cardinals managed to keep the Bears from getting a first down, burning their three timeouts in the process, and got the ball back on their own 20 with 43 seconds to play. Rosen, again, trotted out there, this time with no timeouts and needing to go at least 40 yards to give the Cardinals a chance for a game-winning field goal attempt.

Like the first drive, his first pass was completed for a nine-yard gain, but with Christian Kirk was unable to get out of bounds. From there, the rookie looked like a rookie. Nearly 15 seconds rolled off the clock as he was unable to get the offense to the line and get a play off, visibly struggling to hear the call in his helmet and looking to the sideline as the clock rolled. Once he got them set, he stared down Larry Fitzgerald and tossed a pick six that was mercifully called back due to Khalil Mack jumping offsides.

Rosen ran the ball for 12 yards to the 46 on the next play, barely making it out of bounds with five seconds to play as another 17 seconds rolled off the clock, leaving time for one last heave. That heave would never get into the air as the Bears wisely brought the house with the Cardinals needing time to get 54 yards down the field, and Rosen was sacked to end the game.

It was a rough outing for Rosen, but one that was predictable given the situation. Had he played the entire second half, he maybe would’ve been in a rhythm with the offense and capable of moving the ball consistently. Instead, he got thrown out there, ice cold, with the game on the line and, on both drives, looked the part of a rookie quarterback.

Hopefully the Cardinals will stick with Rosen moving forward and take stock of what they have at that position with him. He showed positives, as there were some good throws, but both of his interceptions seemed to be the product of inexperience. His first was him understanding the need to get the ball out on fourth down, but being just off on timing and getting the throw off late on an out route. The second was him staring down his primary under the pressure of the situation when he was clearly a bit frazzled by not being able to get the play in from the sideline.

The Cardinals staff is the one that should take the blame for the ending, not Rosen, as the kid never really stood much of a chance against a nasty Bears defense in that situation making his first appearance.