The Arizona Cardinals are approaching the new NFL season with a palpable sense of optimism, largely driven by the remarkable comeback of their star quarterback, Kyler Murray. This time last year, the Cardinals were navigating their debut season under head coach Jonathan Gannon, while Murray faced the daunting task of recovering from a severe ACL injury sustained late in the 2022 campaign.
Over the offseason, Murray's dedication to his rehabilitation has been nothing short of relentless. Working closely with the team's trainers, he aimed to regain full health and rejoin his teammates on the field. Unlike the previous year, Murray has been a full participant in the Cardinals' offseason program, a positive sign that bodes well for the team's prospects.
A Season to Remember
Upon his return from injury last season, Murray exhibited a blend of resilience and skill that reaffirmed his value to the Cardinals. His statistics reflect a commendable performance: completing 65.7% of his passes with an average of 6.7 yards per attempt. Murray also threw for 10 touchdowns against five interceptions, adding 244 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to his contributions.
A Key Addition
Complementing Murray’s comeback is the arrival of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who is expected to bolster the Cardinals' offensive lineup. This addition could provide Murray with yet another target and enhance the team’s overall offensive capabilities.
High Praise from the Head Coach
Head coach Jonathan Gannon has been effusive in his praise for Murray’s physical and mental condition. "Physically and mentally, I mean, he looks damn good. He looks damn good," Gannon said, underscoring the quarterback's impressive recovery.
Gannon also highlighted the challenges Murray faced last season, emphasizing the quarterback's admirable performance despite limited preparation time. "You gotta think, he played really good football for us; he had never taken a snap in this offense until Atlanta [in Week 10], you know what I mean, his first game back. I mean, he had a couple weeks of practice leading up to that, but no offseason program, no training camp. No however many games we played without him. Couple weeks of practice and then, you're going, 'Let's play football.'"
The head coach is confident that Murray is in a significantly better position now. "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," Gannon added.
A Leader On and Off the Field
Beyond his athletic capabilities, Murray's leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed. "What I know about the guy, my relationship with him when I got this job: His will to win is extremely high," Gannon remarked. "And if you detail out and lay out for him what is needed from him to improve himself, the offense and the team, he is one thousand percent willing to do that."
Gannon’s admiration for Murray extends beyond his professional abilities. "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," the coach reiterated.
With Murray fully integrated into the offseason program and a promising addition in Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals have every reason to be hopeful as they prepare for the season ahead. The quarterback’s dedication and resilience, combined with his leadership both on and off the field, could very well set the stage for a remarkable comeback story this NFL season.