The Cardinals finished the 2023 season with the second-worst record in the league (4-13), but that was largely due to the fact that quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t play for most of the year.
Murray tore his ACL late in 2022 and didn’t return until Week 10 of last season. He immediately made his impact felt, leading Arizona to a 25-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon expects to see a lot more of that this year now that Murray has had a full offseason in second-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s offense.
“Physically and mentally, I mean, he looks damn good. He looks damn good,” Gannon said on “Mad Dogs Sports Radio.” “I think from a mental and physical standpoint, right now where he’s at, to even when he got back last year or even where he finished last year, I think he’s leaps and bounds ahead.”
Murray has struggled to stay healthy over the past few seasons, but Gannon believes the quarterback has grown as a leader during that time.
“What I know about the guy, my relationship with him when I got this job: His will to win is extremely high,” Gannon added. “I love the guy, because he’s done everything that I’ve asked of him and more. He’s been a phenomenal leader on and off the field — not just with the offense, but with the entire team.”
However, it’s time for Murray to get back to being a difference-maker on the field. He was able to do a little bit of that last year, throwing for 1,799 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 244 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2019 has a good chance to build upon that since the Cardinals added wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison amassed 139 catches for 2,368 yards and 26 touchdowns in his final two years at Ohio State.
That isn’t to say Arizona will be a contender this season, but it should take a step in that direction thanks to Murray’s return and the addition of Harrison Jr.
It’s safe to say Gannon is pleased with where his team is heading.
“He will do anything you want him to do, because of his will to win,” Gannon finished. “He is competitive as hell, and I love him for it.”
