Skip to main content
Animated graphic with dark background and information about Chargers @ Cardinals for Monday Night Football
Advertising

Arizona Cardinals Home: The official source of the latest Cardinals headlines, news, videos, photos, tickets, rosters and game day information

WordFromTheBirds-category-logo-v4

Presented by

Josh Rosen finds his balance between rookie status and starting QB

Josh Rosen likes to ask why -- he acknowledged earlier this season he doesn't like to run a play unless he knows the concept behind it -- and it would follow that the quarterback, even as a 21-year-old rookie, might have some thoughts about how to help the struggling Cardinals offense get out of the funk it has been in since the season began.

But Rosen is a smart man. And he understands that here, early in his first season when he has much to learn about the NFL game, there is a fine line between having his say as a starting quarterback and sitting back and listening.

"You've got to earn the respect," Rosen said. "I think I'm in the process of doing that. I think we've got some great coaches and they're asking for feedback, and I'm willing to give them that feedback. But you've also got to know your place as a rookie. So, I'm sort of finding the happy medium between taking as much control as you deserve for the rookie status you're in."

Rosen is coming off his best game in terms of completion percentage (21-for-31, 66.7 percent) and yards (240). It was a nice bounceback after completing only 10-of-25 passes the week before in San Francisco. The Cardinals face a Broncos team Thursday that has allowed a 200-yard rusher two weeks in a row, so there may be more opportunities for running back David Johnson.

Perhaps Rosen will have something to say about it. He did mention, when asked how he could help get Johnson going, that he could throw the running back the ball more often.

Those are the discussions the Cards will have in this short week. Rosen will listen. But he certainly won't go mute.

"I'll never shy away," Rosen said.

Quarterback Josh Rosen (left) and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
Quarterback Josh Rosen (left) and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
Advertising