GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals enter the 2025 season with something it hasn’t had to deal with the past few years: expectations. There is pressure surrounding the franchise to live up to the talent on the roster. Many players enter next year with a chip on their shoulder. Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. looks to bounce back from a disappointing year, while Trey McBride is trying to live up to his second highest-paid tight end status.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On the defensive side of the ball, edge Josh Sweat just signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract and wants to prove he’s worth the money. Even head coach Jonathan Gannon faces potential hot seat if the team underperforms with the roster he has next season. However, similar to when he was drafted in 2019, quarterback Kyler Murray has the most pressure in the 2025 season.
Dec 22, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Why Murray has the most to prove:
Murray is the 12th-highest paid QB in the NFL, but is one of the three in the top 16 paid QBs to not have a playoff win in their career. The other two were drafted the year after Murray, in Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert and Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa. The 27-year-old has discussed that his zero playoffs wins eats away at him and is a stain on his career.
The former Heisman winner has spent the past three seasons trying to crawl back to his Pro Bowl status, making two in his first three seasons, after tearing his ACL in 2022. Murray has had his commit to football and competitive spirit questioned consistently in his career but used the rehab process to prove doubters wrong. In less than a year after the initial injury, Murray returned in Week 10 of the 2023 season and hasn’t missed a game to this point.
Dec 22, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs around end against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
In 2024, Murray played every single week for the first time since 2020, which was his first Pro Bowl selection. Last year’s campaign saw him recorded 3,851 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Murray’s passing game was a welcoming sight, but what was more impressive was his work in the rushing attack. The six-year Cardinals quarterback ran for 572 rushing yards and five touchdowns, both the most since 2020.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon talks with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 7, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Arizona’s 2025 roster is arguably the most talented since Murray’s arrival. After a grace period of playing his first full season after an ACL tear, Murray is primed to make another Pro Bowl appearance with the offensive talent around him in McBride and Harrison. There is no excuses for Murray to not bring the Cardinals to the postseason for the first time since 2021 and recorded their first playoff win since 2015. If he falls short of that expectations, his time in the Valley could be on the clock.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
