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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Talk about having it good. If Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak were to become the Arizona Cardinals head coach, filling the void left when Bruce Arians retired on Jan. 1, he'd be leaving behind one All-Pro running back and inheriting another. That's good news for Cardinals running back David Johnson. In Munchak's four seasons in Pittsburgh, Le'Veon Bell has been a Pro Bowler three times -– in 2014, 2016 and 2017. He was suspended and injured for most of 2015, which limited him to six games. With Munchak's line blocking for Bell, the running back had the second-most yards from scrimmage in 2017, third-most in 2016 and second-most in 2014. In each of those three seasons, he finished in the top five in rushing and had at least 600 receiving yards. Over the course of Munchak's tenure with the Steelers, which has lasted four of Bell's five NFL seasons, Bell has established himself as one of the best all-around running backs in the league.  And when comparisons to Bell are made, one name usually tops the lists: Johnson.
Bell is listed as 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. Johnson is listed at 6-1 and 224 pounds. In 2016, the last season in which Johnson was healthy, he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,118 -- 1,239 rushing and 879 receiving yards. If Munchak were to become the Cardinals' coach, he'd be inheriting the one running back in the NFL with whom there wouldn't be much dropoff -- if any -- from Bell. However, Johnson is coming off a fractured wrist, which limited him to one game in 2017. While Munchak would have the running back he wants -- or needs -- in Arizona, he won't have the type of offensive line he's been used to in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have had at least one offensive lineman in the Pro Bowl since Munchak took over, topping his era with three this year. The Cardinals have had one total since 2014. Munchak would be inheriting an offensive line in need of an overhaul. Last season, 13 offensive linemen played over the course of the season and Arizona lined up seven starting offensive line combinations. Munchak would be faced with immediate decisions on the line because left guard Alex Boone, right guard Earl Watford and lineman Khalif Barnes are all unrestricted free agents. Munchak may also lose tackle Jared Veldheer and guard Mike Iupati because their cap numbers are $10.25 million and $9.7 million, respectively, in 2018. When compared to the Steelers' lines of the past four years, the Cardinals' lines over that stretch don't hold up. The Steelers have allowed 111 sacks since 2014, the fourth-lowest number in the NFL. The Cardinals, by comparison, have allowed 148 -- tied for 15th lowest -- including 52 in 2017 and 41 in 2016. So while Munchak would have it good in regard to his running back should he get hired by the Cardinals, his pride and joy -- the offensive line -- would command his focus and time early in his tenure.
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