Kyler Murray’s journey with the Arizona Cardinals has been nothing short of a roller-coaster, as the quarterback enters his sixth season with the team. Reflecting on the tumultuous 2023 season, Murray is optimistic about the fresh start ahead. The Cardinals, who boasted an impressive 11-5 record in 2021 and made it to the NFC Wild-Card round, are keen to regain their former glory.
In 2021, the Cardinals impressed many with a 7-0 start, showcasing their potential early in the season. However, the past year has been challenging for Murray. After missing the first nine games of the 2023 season due to a right ACL injury, which also forced him to miss last year’s training camp, Murray has finally rebounded. "Last year was just such a whirlwind for me as far as being hurt and then rehabbing the whole year," Murray said, expressing the personal challenges he faced returning in the middle of the season. "I think this year just getting to start off fresh, it is a big difference."
Dedication and perseverance have underscored Murray’s career. From a young age, he dreamed of being an NFL quarterback and winning Super Bowls, a goal that continues to fuel him. "You never know when the game's going to be taken away from you. You'll never know how long you're going to be playing," Murray reflected. "My goal is to be the best, and since I was 4 years old my dream was to be a quarterback in the NFL, win Super Bowls, and that's what I strive to do every single day."
Rebuilding the Offensive Lineup
Part of the Cardinals' revitalization strategy includes bolstering their offensive roster. This season, they have added rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and veteran receiver Zay Jones, joining a lineup that features Trey McBride, James Conner, Michael Wilson, and Greg Dortch. Murray remains confident in the capabilities of his teammates, emphasizing the offense’s versatility. "I don’t put any limitation on what this offense can be or do. I think we're very versatile, got great skill set as far as receivers or running backs," he noted. "Me coming back healthy, I don’t feel like I even scratched the surface of what I’m capable of as far as moving around being a dual threat on the field."
Building Team Cohesion
To foster team unity, Murray organized a weeklong trip to Los Angeles with 12 of his teammates. This off-field bonding experience underscores the sense of urgency within the team to excel from the get-go. "Getting all those reps that we got, we may not have gotten if we didn't do those things off the field because there's a sense of urgency there," Murray explained. "We want to hit the ground running. We are not coming out this season, despite what everybody thinks or what they're saying, we know we want to do in this locker room, so, in order to do that, you got to put the work in."
For the Cardinals, this season represents a chance to prove their mettle once more. With Murray back at full strength and a robust lineup, the team is poised to challenge their competitors. Their performance early in the season could set the tone for what they aim to achieve. As Murray and his teammates take the field, they do so with renewed vigor and a collective goal: to be the best and push the limits of their potential.