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The one move that defined the 2018 NFL season for all 32 teams

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals runs on to the field during player introductions prior to an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals runs on to the field during player introductions prior to an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

The 2018 NFL season has been a dream come true for several teams this year and been an utter nightmare for many others. That’s how it goes.

Not everybody gets a happy ending in the NFL. The question left to everybody involved is where did the crucial moment come this year that helped define their success or failure. Usually, it can be traced back to one decision that started the ball rolling in either direction.

Maybe it was a big trade a team made or a key hiring or firing of a coach. Then again even more subtle moves can have a surprisingly far-reaching impact.

So let’s pose that question across the board. What was that one move that defined this year for every team in the league, for better or worse?

Arizona Cardinals: Drafting Josh Rosen

For better or worse, when the Cardinals signed Sam Bradford and drafted Josh Rosen in the first round, they effectively tied their hopes this season to the rookie quarterback.

That didn’t seem like too bad of an idea on the surface, at least to begin with.

Rosen, in my estimation, was one of the most pro-ready quarterbacks coming out of this year’s crop. He showed excellent mechanics in his years at UCLA and did a great job of running a pro-style offensive attack while he was there as well.

It made sense that Rosen would have success at the NFL level until it turned out to be a bit tougher than he or anyone else really imagined. Rosen has shown flashes throughout the year but has 10 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions in his 10 games this season.

He’s taken 29 sacks in those 10 games and has proven he has a long way to go in his development. As a result, the Cardinals are one of the worst teams in the entire league.

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