The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for the 2024 NFL season with a renewed sense of determination. Following two consecutive 4-13 seasons, the team and its fans are hungry for a turnaround. Leading the resurgence is quarterback Kyler Murray, who is set to start the season at full strength after missing significant time over the past two years due to a torn ACL.
Despite the struggles, Murray's talent is indisputable. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and earned two Pro Bowl selections in his first three healthy seasons. Now, he's ready to show the league what he's truly capable of. "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," Murray said, emphasizing his readiness to make a significant impact.
Promising Additions
The Cardinals have bolstered their offense with the selection of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Harrison Jr. comes with an impressive college resume, having led the nation in touchdown catches over the last two seasons. Murray’s praise for the rookie is effusive: "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."
This infusion of young talent is complemented by the solid performances of tight end Trey McBride, who ranked among the top NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards from Weeks 10-18 last season. McBride especially shined in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, catching eight of his nine targets from Murray for an impressive 131 receiving yards.
Strength in the Run Game
The Cardinals' running game was one of the few bright spots in their 2023 campaign. Veteran James Conner had a standout year with 1,040 rushing yards and an average of five yards per carry. The team ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and led the league with four games of 200 or more rushing yards. Commenting on their unexpected success, Murray said, "Hell, I was surprised at how good we ran the ball last year... I've never seen so many wide open holes."
This robust running attack is supported by a deep backfield that includes Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Michael Carter, who complement Conner’s veteran presence. The multi-faceted ground game should provide a strong foundation for the Cardinals' offense in 2024.
Optimism and Determination
Despite the long odds placed by Caesars Sportsbook, which has the Cardinals at +1500 to win the NFC West, Murray exudes quiet confidence as he looks ahead. "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. The quarterback is clearly ready to lead his team to greater heights, and his belief in the tightly-knit group is unwavering: "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 good things about him."
Murray's resolve and vision extend far beyond individual accolades. "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 emphasized. His bullish outlook is shared by his teammates, who are motivated to change the narrative around their franchise.
As the 2024 season approaches, the Arizona Cardinals are a team to watch. With Kyler Murray back at full strength, a promising new addition in Marvin Harrison Jr., and a potent running game, they are poised to surprise many in the NFL. The journey won't be easy, but the Cardinals are ready to show that they are more than capable of waking up the doubters and proving their mettle on the field.