The Arizona Cardinals Set Their Sights on a Rebound in 2024 NFL Season
As the Arizona Cardinals gear up for the 2024 NFL season, there's a palpable sense of quiet determination surrounding the team. After enduring back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the Cardinals are looking to prove the critics wrong and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the league.
Leading the charge is quarterback Kyler Murray, who is set to start the new season at full strength after missing significant portions of the last two seasons due to a torn ACL. Murray, who won the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned two Pro Bowl selections in his first three healthy seasons, is confident and ready to demonstrate his capabilities.
"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 stated.
The Cardinals have also bolstered their roster with promising talent, including Marvin Harrison Jr., who was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Harrison Jr. led college football in touchdown catches over the last two seasons, and his addition is expected to add significant firepower 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 said of the young wide receiver.
One of the team's standout performers from last year, tight end Trey McBride, turned heads during the latter part of the season. McBride caught eight of his nine targets from Murray for 131 receiving yards in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 and ranked among the top NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards from Weeks 10-18 last season.
The Cardinals' run game is another strength they will be looking to build on. Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Michael Carter complement veteran James Conner, who had an impressive 2023 season with 1,040 rushing yards and an average of five yards per carry. Arizona's rushing attack was a force to be reckoned with, ranking fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and leading the league with four games of 200 or more rushing yards.
"Hell, I was surprised at how good we ran the ball last year... I've never seen so many wide open holes," Murray commented on the team's ground game success.
Despite the improvements and potential, the road to success won't be easy. Caesars Sportsbook places the Cardinals' odds to win the NFC West at +1500, indicative of the uphill battle the team faces in one of the NFL's toughest divisions.
However, Murray remains optimistic and confident in the team's ability to exceed expectations. Reflecting on his growth and the team's unity, he stated, "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 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."
As the Cardinals prepare for the upcoming season, one thing is clear: they are not setting any limits on their potential. "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," Murray declared.
With a rejuvenated roster, a healthy and determined star quarterback, and a successful ground game to lean on, the Arizona Cardinals are poised to make some noise in the 2024 NFL season. Whether or not they can wake up the league remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: they are ready to give it their all.