The Cardinals completed the 2023 season with the second-worst document within the league (4-13), however that was largely attributable to the truth that quarterback Kyler Murray did not play for a lot of the yr.
Murray tore his ACL late in 2022 and did not return till Week 10 of final season. He instantly made his influence felt, main Arizona to a 25-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon expects to see much more of that this yr now that Murray has had a full offseason in second-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s offense.
“Bodily and mentally, I imply, he appears rattling good. He appears rattling good,” Gannon said on “Mad Canine Sports activities Radio.” “I feel from a psychological and bodily standpoint, proper now the place he is at, to even when he received again final yr and even the place he completed final yr, I feel he is leaps and bounds forward.”
Murray has struggled to remain wholesome over the previous few seasons, however Gannon believes the quarterback has grown as a frontrunner throughout that point.
“What I do know in regards to the man, my relationship with him once I received this job: His will to win is extraordinarily excessive,” Gannon added. “I like the man, as a result of he is finished the whole lot that I’ve requested of him and extra. He is been an exceptional chief on and off the sphere — not simply with the offense, however with your entire crew.”
Nevertheless, it is time for Murray to get again to being a difference-maker on the sphere. He was capable of do some little bit of that final yr, throwing for 1,799 yards and 10 touchdowns whereas additionally dashing for 244 yards and three touchdowns in eight video games.
The No. 1 general decide in 2019 has a great probability to construct upon that for the reason that Cardinals added broad receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft.
The son of Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame broad receiver Marvin Harrison amassed 139 catches for two,368 yards and 26 touchdowns in his last two years at Ohio State.
That is not to say Arizona will likely be a contender this season, nevertheless it ought to take a step in that path due to Murray’s return and the addition of Harrison Jr.
It is protected to say Gannon is happy with the place his crew is heading.
“He’ll do something you need him to do, due to his will to win,” Gannon completed. “He’s aggressive as hell, and I like him for it.”
