The Arizona Cardinals are entering the 2024 NFL season with an air of quiet determination, aiming to turn the tide after enduring back-to-back 4-13 seasons. Their mission is buoyed by the return of quarterback Kyler Murray, who is set to start the season at full strength after missing significant portions of the last two seasons due to a torn ACL.
Murray’s resilience cannot be overstated. The 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowl selectee in his first three healthy seasons, Murray knows the stakes are high. "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 said.
New Talent, New Hope
There’s a palpable sense of excitement surrounding Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Harrison led college football in touchdown catches over the last two seasons, bringing high expectations for his professional debut. Murray has high praise for the newcomer, explaining, "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."
Dynamic Playmakers
An often underappreciated aspect of the Cardinals' strategy last season was their potent rushing attack. With running backs like Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Michael Carter complementing veteran James Conner, Arizona boasted the fourth-best run game in the NFL in terms of rushing yards per game in 2023. They even led the league with four games of 200 or more rushing yards. Conner had a standout year, racking up 1,040 rushing yards and an average of five yards per carry. Reflecting on the success of the run game, Murray admitted, "Hell, I was surprised at how good we ran the ball last year... I've never seen so many wide open holes."
Tight end Trey McBride also rose to prominence, catching eight of his nine targets from Murray for 131 receiving yards in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. From Weeks 10-18 last season, McBride ranked among the top NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards, further enhancing the Cardinals' offensive versatility.
Revitalized Confidence
Murray's confidence in the team is at an all-time high. "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," he emphasized. The sense of camaraderie and strong coaching is apparent as the team gears up for a significant turnaround. "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," Murray added, encapsulating the focused optimism radiating throughout the organization.
Bookmakers remain skeptical, with Caesars Sportsbook placing the Cardinals' odds to win the NFC West at +1500. However, this team seems more interested in letting their performance speak for itself. "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 remarked defiantly.
As the 2024 season unfolds, the Cardinals are determined to defy expectations, driven by a blend of proven talent and promising new additions. With a rejuvenated Kyler Murray at the helm and strategic playmaking across the board, Arizona is set on transforming their quiet determination into a roar that will not go unheard.