Why Cardinals’ Kyler Murray Could Be In For Huge 2024 Season

The last couple of years have been rough for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

Murray tore his ACL in the second half of the 2023 campaign, causing him to miss about half of this past season as a result.

But now, Murray is fully healthy and is able to fully participate in practices, unlike last offseason when he had to stand around and watch.

“I want to say it’s felt like one of the best offseasons I’ve had in a long time,” Murray said, via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. “Just being able to, one, be healthy, and then, two, be in touch with the guys and actually be a part of it.”

Cardinals second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon is thrilled with the way Murray has looked.

“It’s awesome to see him lead the offense, lead the team, being there with his teammates, ask really good questions, get held accountable in front of everyone and take it on the chin just like everybody does,” Gannon said. “I love that about him.”

Kyler Murray Has Silenced Trade Talk

Going into last season, there was speculation that the Cardinals could trade Murray, but Gannon shut that down by giving Murray a major vote of confidence.

Now, trading Murray isn’t even a discussion, and the signal-caller is taking some big steps forward.

“Obviously, last year, being on the side, working with [senior reconditioning coordinator] Buddy [Morris] every day, having to watching, having to be in meetings and not really being able to get a feel for anything, it just makes a difference,” Murray said. “It makes a difference when I’m out there and we’re all getting better together, so not only on the field but of the field. It’s a good offseason.”

In the eight games he played in 2023, Murray threw for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 65.7 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 89.4. He also rushed for 244 yards and three scores.

Not bad for a guy coming off of a major injury.

The 26-year-old was selected by Arizona with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft and got off to a great start, making back-to-back Pro Bowls in his second and third seasons. That led to Murray signing a five-year, $230.5 million extension with the Cardinals in April 2022.

If Murray can remain healthy in 2024, it would be a major step toward him inspiring more confidence as Arizona’s quarterback of the future.

Thus far, it’s looking like Kyler Murray may be prepared to return to his Pro Bowl form come September. Being able to actually take part in offseason activities certainly helps.