The Arizona Cardinals should have a fully healthy and functioning offense going into the 2024 season. Kyler Murray is more than 18 months removed from his ACL reconstruction surgery, there are some emerging young talent in their receiving corps, and James Conner is coming off his first 1,000-yard season. These quality players put together, along with a healthier Murray, should give Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing the ability to stretch the field, both vertically and horizontally.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Murray came back for the final eight games of the 2023 season. The Cardinals went 3-5 down that stretch, averaging 363 yards and 22.4 points per game. Those numbers don’t stand out compared to the rest of the league, but it was a significant jump from the 326 yards and 18.9 points per game they were averaging without him.
It was obvious at times last season they simply did not have the horses to compete in a shootout. The only time they won a game allowing more than 24 points was in Week 17 when they stunned the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 on the road. In that game, Murray threw three touchdown passes and James Conner rushed for 128 yards on 26 carries and the go-ahead score in the final minute.
Even though Murray was back on the field the final half of 2023, he wasn’t playing at 100%. Cardinals Insider Kyle Odegaard reported that while the quarterback’s straightline speed was back, the lateral quickness was not. Now in his second season since the injury, the quickness and ability to cut should be back for Murray. If that is indeed the case, that adds a dimension to the offense that teams now have to account for.
Having a true dual-threat quarterback also makes it more difficult for teams to key in on James Conner. With Conner on the field, the Cardinals have a physical, downhill presence in their rushing attack. They had a lot of success running the ball, finishing fourth in rushing yards (2,365) and second in yards per carry (5.0). While they might not repeat those numbers in 2024, there are more run threats on the field, which could open up the passing game.
One area where the Cardinals stand to improve the most in 2024 is in their passing game. That was their No. 1 priority to address in the draft, taking top-rated receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick. Harrison has the total package at wide receiver, with excellent height, speed, and route-running abilities that could make him a premier pass-catching threat. Throw in a solid receiving tight end like Trey McBride, a capable No. 2 receiver in Michael Wilson, the veteran Zay Jones, and Michael Carter out of the backfield, and the Cardinals have enough pieces to build a Top 10 offense.
It will come down to how Petzing and Murray make this group work. They have all the elements needed to assemble a top offense, with solid players at nearly every spot on the field. It will come down to health, for Murray, his receivers, and the offensive line. If all things go well, the Cardinals should see a significant improvement on the offensive side of the ball in 2024. If that is indeed the case, then it’s a matter of building up the defense in order to build a contending club for the 2025 season.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
