Murray Solidifies Himself As Team’s Franchise QB With Strong Finish
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray ended the 2023-24 season on a high note despite missing the first nine games due to injury.
Murray’s Numbers
After missing the first nine weeks of the season due to recovery from the ACL tear he suffered in December of 2022, Murray returned to the field in just 11 months.
In the eight games that he appeared in this season, the 26-year-old had 2,043 total yards and 13 touchdowns. He also threw five interceptions during that span. While the team went just 3-5 in those games, two of those wins came against playoff teams.
Murray’s most impressive performance of the season came in a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17. He totaled 256 yards and three touchdowns as he led Arizona to a 35-31 victory against the 2022-23 NFC champions.
Gannon Backs Him Up
First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon made it clear to everyone that Murray is Arizona’s franchise QB going forward, saying there is ‘No doubt’ about it.
The Cardinals will now enter the offseason with over $60 million in cap space and two first-round draft picks, including the fourth-overall selection.
The team has a lot to figure out in the coming months but one thing that is stamped is Kyler Murray will be starting under center in Week 1 of next season.
Even though the season may be over for the Arizona Cardinals, general manager Monti Ossenfort and the front office’s work is not, in fact, they are just getting started.
The Cardinals announced that they re-signed eight players to “future contracts,” taking effect when the new league year begins Mar. 13.
Players signed to Future Contracts: wide receiver Andre Baccellia, offensive lineman Jackson Barton, wide receiver Kaden Davis, offensive lineman Marquis Hayes, running back Tony Jones Jr., tight end Bernhard Seikovits, wide receiver Jeff Smith, cornerback Quavian White
Out of all the players on this list, Baccellia has played the most amount of games for Arizona. In the past two seasons, Baccellia has gathered seven receptions for 45 yards from 10 targets.
With injuries to James Conner and former Cardinal Keaontay Ingram during Week 8-10, Jones Jr. suited up for three games after being claimed off waivers from the New Orleans Saints. Jones. Jr rushed for 25 yards on five carries.
Barton featured in the season opener against the Washington Redskins.
Hayes, Davis, Seikovits, White and Smith have yet to make their Cardinals debuts since being in the valley.
All eight players would have been free agents at the end of this week if they were not to have re-signed.
This is the first set of moves from Arizona’s front office as the Cardinals roster will look vastly different come next fall with the draft, trades, free agency, etc.
