PHOENIX — A team that was once dead in the water with a league-worst 1-8 record, now seems to be coming to life. All thanks to the return of Kyler Murray after recovering from a torn ACL he suffered 11 months ago back in December 2022.
"It seemed like it up-ticked our competitiveness on both sides," Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon said. "A jolt of energy and maybe a little more belief that we are going to make sure to score points if we get the ball late or whatever it is. That's part of him making his teammates better psychologically."
Sunday looked as if Murray had never suffered a torn ACL in the first place, throwing for 249 yards and one touchdown while running for another. Not to mention the final drive of the game where K1 reeled off a vintage 13-yard scramble on third-and-10 to extend the drive, ultimately leading to the team's game-winning kick as time expired.
"It gives us an extra boost," Cardinals rookie linebacker BJ Ojulari said. "Knowing that if we get the ball in the offense's hand, they will deliver."
And they did.
First-year coach Jonathan Gannon might be getting a glimpse as to what life might look like in 2024 and beyond with a healthy Kyler Murray under center. The future is bright for this team with a bevy of draft picks and salary cap space to prep for what they hope can be a fast turnaround.
As for the goals for the rest of the 2023 campaign; keep Murray healthy while continuing to develop the young nucleus of talent in picks such as Trey Mcbride, Michael Wilson, and Paris Johnson Jr.
"It's just nice to have him go out there and say I got you, man," Gannon said.
It sure is. Welcome back, K1.
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