The Arizona Cardinals are entering the 2024 NFL season with an air of quiet determination. After enduring back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the Cardinals are eager to flip the script and assert themselves in the NFC West. Their efforts will be bolstered by the return of their star quarterback, Kyler Murray, who missed significant portions of the last two seasons due to a torn ACL. Now set to start the 2024 season at full strength, Murray is prepared to lead his team to new heights.
Kyler Murray's Comeback
Murray, the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his first three healthy seasons, is ready to prove his doubters wrong. "I can understand why people are sleeping on me," Murray said. "In this world, it's kind of what have you done for me lately? We haven't won. So, I understand, but I'm primed and ready to prove what I'm able to do, what this team's capable of."
His confidence is palpable as he reflects on his journey and the challenges he has faced. "I was watching the COVID year actually. 2020... I'm just looking, I'm so much better now... a lot of it has to do with being in a system where I feel like I don't have to do everything."
This renewed vigor extends beyond his personal recovery. The Cardinals' front office has been strategic in their draft picks, notably selecting Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Harrison Jr., who led college football in touchdown catches over the last two seasons, is set to be a significant addition to the team's receiving corps. Murray expressed his excitement for the rookie, stating, "I'm super excited for Marvin... The way they carry themselves off the field, in the building, he's catching jugs before or after practice. And a lot of guys do that, but it's different."
Bolstering the Offense
Adding to their offensive weaponry, the Cardinals can rely on tight end Trey McBride, who showcased his chemistry with Murray in their Week 10 match against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. McBride caught eight of his nine targets from Murray for 131 receiving yards in that game. From Weeks 10-18, McBride ranked among the top NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards, solidifying his role as a key player in the Cardinals' passing game.
The run game, another critical facet of the Cardinals' offense, is also promising. Running backs Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Michael Carter join forces with veteran James Conner. Conner's performance in 2023 was stellar, amassing 1,040 rushing yards and averaging five yards per carry. The Cardinals' running game was formidable, ranking fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and leading the league with four games of 200 or more rushing yards. Murray himself acknowledged this strength, remarking, "Hell, I was surprised at how good we ran the ball last year... I've never seen so many wide open holes."
The Road Ahead
Despite the evident progress, the Cardinals find themselves underdogs in the NFC West, with Caesars Sportsbook placing their odds to win the division at +1500. However, this does not deter Murray and the Cardinals. "Yeah, I mean, let them sleep. Our job is to wake them up and allow them to realize what's going on out here," Murray stated defiantly.
Murray's confidence in his team and coaching staff is unshakeable. "This is the most confident I've been in the team in a while... It’s a very tight-knit group. And the coaches, and JG [Gannon], man, I can't say enough of good things about him." With his sights set high, Murray is not just playing for improvement but for the ultimate prize in football. "For this team? My goal is win the Super Bowl. That's always going to be my goal... I'm excited, but I'm not putting any limits on what this team can do."
The upcoming season offers a fresh start for the Arizona Cardinals, a chance to prove that the past does not define their future. With a healthy Kyler Murray at the helm, key draft picks like Marvin Harrison Jr. ready to make their mark, and a potent running game, the Cardinals are poised to turn heads and perhaps, wake some doubters along the way.