The Detroit Lions are among the NFL’s best when it comes to deploying multiple running backs. They have the luxury of doing so because of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

A pair of No. 1 options, Gibbs brings the speed, while Montgomery adds the strength. There’s a reason their nicknames are “Sonic and Knuckles” after the video game.

Their efforts have led to one of the top running games in the league, which has finished no worse than sixth the past two seasons.

Could we be seeing the next iteration of a successful tandem like Gibbs and Montgomery forming in Arizona?

For Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, that’s the expectation he has for Trey Benson and James Conner.

At the #NFLCombine I just asked Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon on his expectations for Trey Benson this year. pic.twitter.com/U2SVFD9c1W

— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) February 25, 2025

“If (Benson) takes a necessary jump from Year 1 to Year 2, I think we got two starting backs,” Gannon told reporters during the 2025 NFL Draft Combine on Tuesday.

“That’s how I kind of view those guys. You see certain teams out there that have two No. 1s, I would say. I think we should have two No. 1s next year.”

While Conner is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season with the Cardinals, Benson struggled to carve out a consistent role in the offense as he got his NFL bearings. Only twice did he see at least 10 touches from scrimmage all season.

And although he starting to figure things out as the year progressed, he was forced out the final three games of 2024 due to an ankle injury.

He finished the season with 63 carries for 291 yards and a touchdown to go along with six catches for 59 yards.

That’s a far cry from No. 1-type numbers, but as we’ve seen in the past, players under this current regime have a knack for taking a jump in Year 2.

Just take a look at how Paris Johnson Jr. was able to move from right to left tackle, Garrett Williams’ ascension as Arizona’s top cornerback and Dante Stills’ impact along the defensive line as a few examples.

Even without a 1-2 punch like the Lions, the Cardinals were seventh in the league in rushing. An improved Benson would only add to that, while also taking some of the workload off Conner, especially in the receiving game. Call it two birds with one Trey.

Expectations remain high on BJ Ojulari

You know who else Gannon is expecting big things out of? Young pass rusher BJ Ojulari.

Ojulari was trending toward a starting role before a season-ending knee injury in training camp dashed those hopes.

“He obviously has to get healthy first, but I really liked where his game was trending coming out of 2023. I liked where he was at in camp and then obviously had the injury,” Gannon said. “He looks good in there. He’s (at the training facility) every day.

“I definitely have — I wouldn’t say hopes — I have a high expectation for BJ to come in here and when he’s healthy, when it’s right for him, come back and help us win games.”

If and when Ojulari can make his return to action, it would be a welcome sight for a Cardinals defense.

Zaven Collins is expected to return to his starting post after receiving a contract extension last training camp and registering a team-high 5.0 sacks last season. But beyond him, questions loom for a unit that was near the bottom of the league in pass-rush win rate last year.

Those factors are two big reasons why pass rusher and defensive line sit high atop Arizona’s needs list this offseason.

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