TEMPE — All that talk about Trey Benson playing more in Year 2 turned into reality across the Arizona Cardinals’ 20-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 1.
It’s one thing to say it. It’s another to do it.
Forming a 1-2 punch with starter James Conner on Sunday, Benson tied a career mark for offensive snaps played with 22 (33.3%).
Cardinals RBs snap counts vs. Saints ⬇️
🔴 James Conner: 43 snaps (65%)
– 12 carries for 39 yards (3.3 yards per carry)
– 4 catches for 5 yards and a TD
🔴 Trey Benson: 22 (33%)
– 8 carries for 69 yards (8.6)
– 1 catch for 10 yards
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 8, 2025
He made the most of the added time in Arizona’s backfield too, setting a career high in single-game rushing yards with 69 on eight carries. The total was highlighted by a 52-yard run that very well could have gone the distance (more on that later). He added one catch for six yards.
Taking over the role Emari Demercado — who did not log an offensive snap in Week 1 — served in last year, Benson’s inclusion in the offense looks far from a one-off.
“He’s only going to get better.”
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon talks Trey Benson’s impact in Sunday’s win over the Saints ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/izF3Zwt2h6
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 8, 2025
“I thought he did a good job on first, second and third down,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday. “The explosive was good, but I thought he had a couple good dirty runs in there, too.”
Of the 22 offensive plays he registered, 11 were on third down.
He had a few chip blocks on passing downs, but for the most part, was utilized as a potential weapon more than a blocker in Week 1.
Benson flashed his playmaking ability as a rookie and through training camp. He’s clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff to take on more third-down looks, too.
Not only does that allow Demercado the ability to focus solely on special teams and the return game, it also takes some of the workload off of Conner.
The veteran turned in his first NFL season with at least 16 games played last year on his way to another 1,000-yard season.
He’s going to get his touches. He’s too good not to utilize in Arizona’s offense.
A good way to make sure he stays available for the long haul? Lessen the hits taken.
Conner’s 12 carries on Sunday would have tied for the fifth fewest attempts in a game for the running back last season.
And while the veteran lost out on some touches in the run game, he made up for it in the receiving game with four catches and a one-yard touchdown. It’s not all about running the rock for Conner.
About that big Trey Benson run
There’s no denying Benson’s home-run ability, especially after seeing him rip off the 52-yard run.
The only problem? Benson couldn’t finish the job, getting chased down by Saints DL Carl Granderson with nothing but green in front of him.
Trey Benson’s explosive was a key play Sunday, though he did get chased down by a Saints D-lineman.
That fact didn’t get past Calais Campbell and the rest of Arizona’s DL room…
“We had to give him a hard time because he got caught by a D-lineman. … But that was an… pic.twitter.com/OeTyeG0v6G
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 8, 2025
Veteran Calais Campbell and the rest of Arizona’s DL room didn’t let Benson forget it, either.
“We had to give him a hard time because he got caught by a D-lineman,” Campbell said with a laugh. “But that was an incredible run. Great vision, timing, broke a lot of tackles, had good cuts … but then No. 96 did a great job of catching up from behind.”
The what-if isn’t lost on Benson, either.
“I felt like I missed some opportunities out there, but I showcased my speed today,” the running back told Cardinals sideline reporter Paul Calvisi postgame. “I let someone track me down. That usually doesn’t happen most of the time. It won’t happen again.”