Earlier this year I made a post going over how the Arizona Cardinals could be one of the sleeper teams heading into the 2024 season, and that will reflect in my record prediction. Second year coach Jonathan Gannon showed his players are ready to fight for him and that he has the defensive mind that got him hired in the first place. With Gannon’s second year defense installed and more talent being added to it via draft and free agency with the likes of Sean Murphy-Bunting, Justin Jones, and Darius Robinson, this unit should be firing on all cylinders and massively improve upon last seasons 25th place ranking.
GARDECKKYYYYYY IS BACCCCKKKKKK@DGardeck x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/adFWfiiEaZ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 17, 2023
Another massive reason for the Arizona rebound will be the healthy return of franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, who while dealing with recovering from an injury all last season, still showed all the flashes that made the Cardinals re-commit to him in the offseason. With rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. walking in day one as the teams’ top receiver, this offense should be massively improved with an instant legitimate big play threat on the outside. Tight end Trey McBride broke out last season and should only take even more steps forward with a solid connection with Murray and some pressure off his shoulders now with the arrival of Harrison Jr.
Trey McBride in first game with Zach Ertz on IR:
* 62-of-76 snaps
* 29 inline, 27 slot, 6 wide
* 36 routes on 41 Dobbs dropbacks
* 14 targets for a 38% share (!!)
* 10-95-1 result
* Max sexVideo via @MattWaldman. pic.twitter.com/L3zCKHUsci
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) October 30, 2023
This Arizona team is going to field a dynamic offense and a gritty defense intent on keeping them in games. We have seen flashes from this coaching staff, this quarterback, and this defense, now it’s time for it to show up on the field in a big way next season as they chase a potential wildcard spot.
Final record prediction: 8-9
