An Op-Ed By R.J. Henle

Like many teams during this coaching cycle, the Arizona Cardinals went the route of their division-rival Los Angeles Rams, hiring a talented young offensive-minded head coach in Kliff Kingsbury, and who can blame them?

The National Football League is in the entertainment industry and it pays close attention to the ebbs and flows of its fandom and following.

What is piquing the interest of the casual fan? What do people want to see?

The current appetite of the normal fan is a high-scoring game, therefore the NFL has become a pass-first league.

Passing is sexy, and sex sells — big time.

Electricty in Kansas City

Patrick Mahomes II, a first-year signal caller turned MVP candidate, has proved to be the steal of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs traded up from the 27th pick to the tenth pick, relinquishing their 2018 first-rounder and a third-rounder to the Buffalo Bills to ensure Mahomes’ arrival in the Heart of America.

Whether the 23-year-old stud was ready to go from the jump, or was groomed (by former Chiefs QB Alex Smith and head coach Andy Reid) into being the favorite for MVP in his first season behind center, one thing is for sure; Mahomes has helped Kansas City turn itself into the perfect mold of the modern offense.

Gambling in the Desert

Mahomes’ play this season has not only opened eyes, but his production is directly correlated to the Cardinals’ hire of Kingsbury (his college coach).

Kingsbury, a former professional quarterback, ran the Air Raid offense at Texas Tech and oversaw the development of current NFL QBs Davis Webb, Baker Mayfield (both of whom transferred for more playing time) and Mahomes.

In five of his six seasons as the head coach in Lubbock, Kingsbury’s team finished top 25 in scoring.

Through all six seasons, the Red Raiders averaged 30 points per game, 470 total yards per game and 300 passing yards per game, ranking top 20 in total offense.

Tech led the nation in total offense and passing offense in 2016.

The exceptional statistics go on, but Kingsbury’s most glaring failure during his collegiate tenure was his record.

He went to three bowl games (1-2), won eight games just once and finished below .500 in three of his six seasons as Tech’s head coach. His career college winning percentage is also below .500 (35-40).

So how did a mediocre college coach, who was relieved of his duties by the university, find himself in a head coaching position with a professional football team? How can you possibly fall upwards that way?

Success on the Horizon?

Well, young offensive “genius” is the current head coaching trend and it has paid off in LA, where Sean McVay (33) has led the Rams to their fourth Super Bowl berth (first since 2002).

The Cincinnati Bengals are likely to hire Rams’ QB coach Zac Taylor (35), the Green Bay Packers have hired former Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur (39), the Cardinals hired Kingsbury (39), the New York Jets hired former former Dolphins HC Adam Gase (40) and the Cleveland Browns promoted OC Freddie Kitchens (44).

Football scheming is a guessing game, but a team will grab any edge it can to build the next dynasty.

Only time will tell us if this current trend proves fruitful, however — that I know for sure.