The Arizona Cardinals were considered a unlikely playoff contender in the second half of the 2023 NFL season, but expectations were still high for the team with quarterback Kyler Murray returning under center.
Murray tore his ACL midway through the 2022 season and continued his rehab until the 2023 regular season. Since his return, the Cardinals' offense has been fluid in Drew Petzing's system, and the scoreboard has reflected that.
“People are losing their memory,” Murray told Fox News Digital in April after some suggested he was playing a game to prove something.
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Arizona Cardinals' Carter O'Donnell (right) and Kelvin Beacham (68) celebrate with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) after Murray scored a rushing touchdown in the second quarter during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Mike Christie/Getty Images)
“I'm not even close to it personally, by my standards,” he added, just prior to the 2024 NFL Draft. “As far as the people around me and what they're giving me, I feel like I'm trending in the right direction right now.”
Veteran Cardinals offensive lineman Kelvin Beacham has blocked for Murray the past few seasons and has seen a change in Murray as he feels more comfortable in his second year with the tactic.
“I feel like he's really starting to master this offense,” Beachum told Fox News Digital while discussing his inspiring work. World Vision“I think it's great to have a quarterback who has really mastered the offense. He just came back from injury last year, it was a new offense, new head coach, new regime. I really feel like he's been able to get comfortable with this particular offense, get comfortable with the play-caller, get comfortable with the receivers, the running backs, the offensive line.”
Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is as good as advertised: 'He's a freak of nature'
“When the quarterback feels confident and comfortable with what he's asking of him and what he's going to execute, I feel like the team is really well positioned to be successful.”
While Murray's success this season will obviously be important to Arizona's playoff chances, it's hard to ignore Beacham's assessment of the situation the offense found itself in last season – learning new tactics takes time to perfect.
To Beacham, Murray appears to be a comfortable, confident quarterback in this offense, but he also sees Murray with a new top receiver who has already garnered attention in training camp.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has been described as a natural talent, and all reports are saying the No. 4 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft is living up to the hype.
“I told you, when the ball is near him, he's making a play,” Beacham said of Harrison. “And that's it.”
Arizona Cardinals player Kelvin Beacham leaves the field during halftime of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Justin Castaline/Getty Images)
Beacham added that Harrison has been doing extra training, arriving on the practice field early and staying late to catch balls on the Jags machine, to get his hands in tip-top condition ahead of a promising rookie season.
Beacham is looking to help the offensive line in any way he can to improve on their disappointing 4-13 record in 2023. Beacham is not expected to start at tackle this season but said he will be “a positive contributor to this team no matter what.” [his] Now in his 13th NFL season, he is constantly aware of “where his abilities lie and when his number will be called.”
Of course, a great offense isn't the only thing an NFL playoff team needs — defense and special teams have to play their part, too — but if Murray can keep up the momentum he had last season, the Cardinals could be the surprise team of the NFL this year in a tough NFC West division.
Bringing about “meaningful” change
Beacham is excited to enter his 13th year in the NFL, but remains focused on just helping his team on the field.
Beacham has partnered with World Vision, a faith-based humanitarian, development and advocacy organization, for many years due to the company's commitment to helping people around the world.
Whether it’s helping communities gain access to clean water, basic medical care and nutrition training for women and children, or education programs, World Vision is a team that Beauchamp and her family are happy to work with to make a meaningful impact.
Arizona Cardinals player Kelvin Beacham leaves the field during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Rick Tapia/Getty Images)
“At the end of the day, I feel like this is a duty,” he explained. “I've been fortunate to play the game for so long, and I've been fortunate to be healthy, and if I have the opportunity to find what I really love and what I can commit myself to for a long time, I can make an impact.”
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“I wanted to build very deep relationships with a small group of people, and World Vision allowed me to build very deep relationships with them.”
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