Trey Benson and Michael Carter, once strangers, are now teammates on the Arizona Cardinals. Their fateful meeting eases Benson’s NFL transition.
While preparing for the NFL Combine in Tampa, Florida, Trey Benson had a fateful encounter. At a 7-on-7 tournament in February, where he was watching the next generation of high school stars, he saw Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter, who was coaching a team he sponsored. Benson immediately recognized Carter, whom he had watched during his time at the University of North Carolina, and approached the colleague.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
Carter knew exactly who Benson was because he had followed his career at Florida State. “We clicked immediately,” Benson said. “We laughed. You would have thought we had known each other for years.”
During their conversation, Benson made a casual but prescient remark: “It would be so crazy if we were on the same team.” Two months later, that remark became reality when the Cardinals selected him with the 66th pick in the draft.
A familiar face in Arizona
The presence of Carter, a familiar face, has made Benson’s transition to the NFL, a new locker room and a new state easier. “He’s a big brother to me,” Benson said. “He’s looked out for me and told me what I need to work on because he’s been in the league longer than I have.”
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
Carter, who said the two “clicked instantly,” described their first conversation as similar to the famous Spider-Man meme in which two Spider-Men stare at each other because they had so much in common.
Mentor and friend
Carter has taken on the role of mentor to Benson, despite being just three years older. He said his door is always open for Benson to ask questions and he has no problem offering advice or criticism to Benson. After a practice session, Carter pulled Benson aside and told the rookie he needed a better foundation on his blocks in pass protection. “I really appreciate him for that,” Benson said. “He didn’t have to do that.”
Competition and camaraderie
That’s the kind of mentorship and friendship Carter experienced when he entered the NFL with the New York Jets in 2021. The older running backs took him under their wing even though he knew they didn’t have to. Carter has heard stories about “sour vets” and knew he didn’t want to be that teammate. After just a few months as teammates, Benson said he can already tell Carter is making him a better player. “It’s like a mentorship, but ultimately it’s like a brotherhood. If I do something wrong, he’ll tell me too,” Carter said.
Benson’s future with the Cardinals
Now, Benson and Carter are competing for playing time in the same running back room. Benson’s role in an offense that had a 1,000-yard rusher in James Conner last season is still being determined as Arizona prepares for the regular season. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said Benson controls his own destiny this season, and if he can show he needs to be on the field, the Cardinals may have no choice.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
First impressions in the preseason game
In his first preseason game on Saturday, Benson played 17 snaps and had eight carries for 21 yards, but his best play was a 19-yard catch and run on a screen pass that was called back for an illegal man downfield. Carter played 18 snaps and had seven carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Carter said he isn’t worried about the state of the running back room. He knows it’s crowded with seven running backs – Conner, Carter, DeeJay Dallas, Emari Demercado, Hassan Hall, Tony Jones and himself – everyone is fighting for a spot on the roster and for playing time.
Friendly competition
But so far there is no animosity, Carter said, which reminds Benson of his running back room at Florida State, where the competition was friendly. As Benson continues to fight for a spot on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster, Carter will continue to mentor him. Benson said, “I thought to myself, ‘I knew we met for a reason.'”
