The Arizona Cardinals strengthened their backfield during the offseason, but not every addition is expected to produce immediate results. Running back Tyler Allgeier enters the 2026 NFL season facing growing skepticism after one analyst projected him as Arizona’s potential biggest disappointment despite his proven production earlier in his career.
Allgeier joined the Cardinals hoping to provide depth and physicality behind an already established rushing attack. His reputation as a dependable runner capable of handling a significant workload made him an appealing addition, but questions remain about how many opportunities he will receive in an offense featuring multiple capable ball carriers. Limited touches could make it difficult for him to produce the numbers many expect.
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Competition within Arizona’s running back room has become one of the team’s most intriguing storylines heading into training camp. Several players are expected to compete for carries, creating a situation where weekly workloads may fluctuate depending on game plans and matchups. That depth benefits the Cardinals as a team but also reduces the margin for error for every individual runner seeking a consistent role.
Allgeier has previously demonstrated that he can be an effective early-down back by running with power, patience and strong vision between the tackles. His physical style complements Arizona’s offensive philosophy and provides the coaching staff with another option in short-yardage and clock-management situations. However, modern NFL offenses increasingly rely on running backs who contribute as receivers, making versatility an important factor in earning playing time.
NFL Analysis Names Arizona Cardinals Running Back Tyler Allgeier a Bust Ahead of 2026 Season
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Allgeier was projected to be a bust ahead of the new NFL season. This is detailed more in an analysis by Moe Moton for Bleacher Report.
The Arizona Cardinals buried Tyler Allgeier on their depth chart just a month after they signed him to a two-year, $12.25 million deal. With the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, Arizona selected Jeremiyah Love, who’s set to make the most cash among running backs this year, per Spotrac.
Even if Love doesn’t see the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield, Arizona will likely be in catch-up mode for most of the campaign. If the Cardinals chase leads in most of their games, they’ll have to rely on the passing game to keep pace with opponents, which would limit the ground attack.
Allgeier hasn’t caught more than 18 passes in any of his four seasons. So, unless Arizona has leads to protect, he’ll be an afterthought in the run game.
The Cardinals believe competition will ultimately strengthen the offense throughout the season. Every running back will have opportunities to earn touches during training camp and preseason games, with consistent execution likely determining the depth chart. If Allgeier performs well in those situations, he could establish a larger role than many early projections suggest.
Predictions made before the season often change once meaningful games begin, and Allgeier has an opportunity to rewrite expectations through his performance on the field. While some remain uncertain about his outlook in Arizona’s crowded backfield, a productive season would not only silence early doubts but also provide the Cardinals with another valuable contributor as they pursue a return to playoff contention in 2026.
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