The Arizona Cardinals' biggest improvement of the offseason had nothing to do with the draft or free agency

With Kyler Murray healthy, the Arizona Cardinals appear to be turning a page as a franchise.

Ian Kayanja
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Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks to quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the second half of a game against the Lions on Sept. 8.
Image via Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

For all the talk of what Marvin Harrison Jr. adds to the Arizona Cardinals, the biggest move of the offseason came from inside the team. 

Yes, the offense added some new weapons. And yes, Harrison Jr. possesses the potential to be the best wide receiver in the league. 

But underscoring all the changes made to the Cardinals roster, Kyler Murray returning and being a better leader was – and will be – the most important improvement of the 2024 offseason.

During the 2023 season, Murray was far from being the quarterback he was before his knee injury. That is what recovery does. 

But all reports throughout the mandatory and voluntary workout period of the offseason indicate that Murray has returned to the player he was expected to be when he first arrived in Arizona. 

"It's something that if you put the effort into it, you can still kind of have that (college) feel," Murray said of building chemistry and leadership. "I know we were tight last year. I feel like this team is even more. There's been a lot of new guys, but the new guys have made an effort to really embrace the culture and embrace this team."

When Murray is at his best, the Cardinals can play freely. With Murray, this team is a playoff contender. Without him, the team goes nowhere. That is how dynamic he can be. 

His return to quality form is bigger than anything else the Cardinals have done this offseason. The world starts and stops with Murray. If he holds up, all could be well in the desert. 

"Going into Year Six, am I excited? Hell yeah, I'm excited," Murray said via the Cardinals' team website. "I feel good. Just to be healthy again is a blessing. Yes, I believe in what we can do." 

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