NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Arizona Cardinals are celebrating the return of their franchise QB Kyler Murray. But they also need to celebrate any wins the Carolina Panthers can muster up. Their wins give them a better chance to grab Marvin Harrison Jr in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Murray, since returning from injury has passed for 719 yards and 2 TDs. The yards are there but the Cardinals can’t find the endzone. A large part of this is they don’t have the receivers. Murray needs help. But the bigger question lingering over their heads is what will the Cardinals do with Murray this offseason?
The speculation is that the Cardinals should trade him. However, there is an issue with his contract. We all know the details there. No team may be willing to put all that on the line so that means, there’s a good chance that the Cardinals and Murray may be joined at the hip for another 3 years at least. After watching his return, is that a bad thing? The issue is not Murray, the issue is who’s not with Murray.
No need to go after Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or even Bo Nix, Murray is the guy. With the Cardinals expected to have a top 5 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they must have their attention set on offensive players. From receiver to OL. Protecting Murray and providing him with weapons is the motto this offseason.
Marquise Brown was supposed to be that guy but that has followed him his entire career. He’s not a No. 1 receiver. Hell, he’s not a No. 2 either. Their TE position needs help and protecting Murray is also a top priority.
Will The Arizona Cardinals Draft Marvin Harrison Jr
This is why the Panthers are so vital to the future of the Arizona Cardinals. The Bears own the Panthers’ pick but they are not sure about their own QB Justin Fields. If they elect to give Fields another shot, that means their attention will turn to Harrison Jr. If they elect to move on from Fields, then grabbing a QB is important. If that goes into play, Harrison would fall right into their laps.
But all this is still on the Arizona Cardinals losing games this season. Sitting at 2-10 on the year, they still have the New England Patriots to worry about who are 2-9. It does appear as if the Pats are going QB with their pick as well. As it stands, the Cardinals have a clear path to Harrison Jr.
Getting OL help would be beneficial but without the proper weapons, what’s the point of having a QB who can throw and scramble? The Cardinals must look at how the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles have gone about building around a scrambling QB. Get the receivers who fit. If you have to draft high to get them, then do so.
Murray proved that he’s healthy. While wins will still be hard to come by, his return should offer hope for the future. But will he be a part of their future? The Arizona Cardinal must now figure out how to help him get into the top-tier status and that entails getting him help.
