Kyler Murray and Cardinals Poised for a Resurgent 2024 NFL Season
The Arizona Cardinals approach the 2024 NFL season with a renewed sense of purpose and quiet determination, eager to put past disappointments behind them. Following consecutive 4-13 seasons marred by injuries and inconsistencies, the Cardinals are ready to reclaim their place among the league's elite.
Central to this resurgence is quarterback Kyler Murray, who is set to make his comeback at full strength after missing significant portions of the last two seasons due to a torn ACL. Murray, the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains confident in his abilities. "I can understand why people are sleeping on me... 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," he stated.
New Weapons and Offensive Stability
The Cardinals added a significant weapon to their arsenal by selecting wide receiver 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, has already impressed his teammates and coaching staff. Murray expressed his excitement, saying, "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."
Tight end Trey McBride also looks poised to be a key contributor. In Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, McBride caught eight of his nine targets from Murray for 131 receiving yards. From Weeks 10-18 last season, McBride ranked among the top NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards, further solidifying his role in the offense.
Ground Game Prowess
Arizona's ground game was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult 2023 season. With running backs Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Michael Carter complementing veteran James Conner, the Cardinals boasted one of the league's most formidable rushing attacks. James Conner, who amassed 1,040 rushing yards and averaged five yards per carry, played a crucial role in this success. The Cardinals' run game ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and led the league with four games of 200 or more rushing yards.
Murray acknowledged this strength with a touch of surprise: "Hell, I was surprised at how good we ran the ball last year... I've never seen so many wide-open holes." With the potent combination of a resurgent passing attack and a dominant ground game, the Cardinals' offense appears well-balanced and capable of posing significant challenges to opposing defenses.
Defensive and Coaching Confidence
Under the guidance of head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals have developed a strong, cohesive unit. Murray spoke highly of the team's close-knit nature and the impact of Gannon’s leadership: "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."
Despite the odds placed by Caesars Sportsbook, which has the Cardinals at +1500 to win the NFC West, the team remains undeterred. Murray's ambitious goal for the season reflects this determination. "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," he asserted.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 season presents an opportunity for the Arizona Cardinals to redefine their narrative. With Kyler Murray back at full strength and a cast of talented skill players ready to contribute, the Cardinals are determined to rise above the setbacks of the past two years. As Murray succinctly put it, "Yeah, I mean, let them sleep. Our job is to wake them up and allow them to realize what's going on out here."
The stage is set, the pieces are in place, and the Arizona Cardinals are poised to make their mark in the 2024 NFL season, driven by resolve, talent, and a shared vision of success.