The Arizona Cardinals are aiming for a strong season after narrowly missing the playoffs last year. This will be the second season that quarterback Kyler Murray and second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. play together. It will be a telling year to see whether the duo is building the chemistry needed to lead the team forward.
There’s a real possibility this could be Murray’s final season as Arizona’s quarterback. If he underperforms, Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna believes his time with the Cardinals may come to an end.
“He is as physically gifted as any player in the league,” McKenna wrote. “He plays with flair — even his scrambling is dramatic because of the way he runs. He makes highlight plays that are truly transcendent. But he can’t figure out how to convert those big plays into wins. Unless he turns a corner with his decision-making and patience — this season — he might find himself on the hot seat in Arizona.”
The Cardinals are exploring different ways to build around Murray, whether that’s this season or next. For now, Harrison is expected to be a key factor in Murray’s success. The young wideout is already drawing praise from Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald.
“I saw a guy who made a lot of plays,” Fitzgerald said, via the Arizona Republic’s Theo Mackie. “He did a really good job. When the ball came to him, he made his plays. He’s only gonna continue to get better, so I’m excited to see his Year 2.”
With Harrison starting to earn recognition from some of the franchise’s all-time greats, it’s only fitting that he becomes the focal point of the offense.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“Marvin Harrison Jr. is too talented for you to not make him the focal point of your passing game,” ESPN’s Field Yates said.
Harrison is projected to have a stellar career in Arizona, but his time as “the guy” needs to begin now. He’s coming off a near-1,000-yard receiving season, and if the Cardinals commit to him as their top target, he has every opportunity to thrive.
