The Arizona Cardinals are poised for a pivotal 2024 NFL season, entering the year with a sense of quiet determination. Battling through back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the team is eager to turn the page and make a significant impact. Central to their hopes is the return of quarterback Kyler Murray, who missed substantial time over the past two seasons due to a torn ACL.
Murray, fully recovered and ready to lead, exudes confidence and a renewed sense of purpose. "I can understand why people are sleeping on me," Murray admitted. "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 I'm capable of, what this team's capable of."
Selected as the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earning two Pro Bowl selections in his first three fully healthy seasons, Murray's return is anticipated to be a game-changer. His confidence is palpable as he reflects on the team's camaraderie and the coaching staff's impact. "This is the most confident I've been in the team in a while," Murray shared. "It’s a very tight-knit group. And the coaches, and JG [Gannon], man, I can't say enough good things about him."
Adding to the Cardinals' optimism is the arrival of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Harrison Jr. led college football in touchdown catches over the last two seasons, bringing a new dynamic to the Cardinals' offense. "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," Murray remarked with excitement.
The Cardinals also receive a boost with the emergence of tight end Trey McBride, who demonstrated exceptional chemistry with Murray in the latter part of the 2023 season. Notably, McBride caught eight of his nine targets from Murray for 131 receiving yards in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons. His performance ranked him among the top NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards from Weeks 10-18 last season.
Arizona's ground game remains one of their core strengths, ranking fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game in 2023. The combination of Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Michael Carter complements veteran James Conner, who had a remarkable season last year with 1,040 rushing yards and an average of five yards per carry. The Cardinals led the NFL with four games of 200 or more rushing yards, a stat that has not gone unnoticed. "Hell, I was surprised at how good we ran the ball last year... I've never seen so many wide-open holes," Murray observed.
Despite the low expectations from analysts, as evidenced by Caesars Sportsbook placing their odds to win the NFC West at +1500, Murray remains undeterred. "Yeah, I mean, let them sleep. Our job is to wake them up and allow them to realize what's going on out here," he stated emphatically.
Looking back at his journey, Murray is reflective and humbled. "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," he said, emphasizing the maturity and growth that has come with time.
The Arizona Cardinals are clearly a team ready to defy expectations, fueled by a blend of seasoned veterans and promising new talent. As Murray succinctly put it, "For this team? My goal is to 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."