Cardinals Kyler Murray a sleeper pick for NFL MVP in 2025 season

Edhom on Murray leading the Cardinals next season:

“I think Murray quietly had one of his best seasons last year, and he’s reaching the peak of his career just as the Cardinals appear to be rounding into form…Murray has yet to receive an MVP vote, but he has two enticing targets in TE Trey McBride and WR Marvin Harrison Jr., which could vault him to a career-best season. The Cardinals have their work cut out for them in the thorny NFC West, but there’s at least an MVP path for Murray if he can lead them back to prominence.”

To become an MVP candidate the player’s team has to win. The team doubled its win total from the past two seasons, from four to eight, while having five single-score losses. Six of the team’s nine losses came to playoff teams last year, with eight of them coming to team’s with winning records. The squad is ready to contend, especially with the improvements made this offseason on the defensive side of the ball.

General manager Monti Ossenfort signed Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell to deals to be veterans in the front seven to improve the squad’s lackluster pass rush. Next season will be the best defense Murray has had, which gives him no excuses to not put on an MVP-caliber performance.

The 28-year-old has his best season statistically since 2020, recording 3,851 passing yards, 572 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns. His versatility to avoid pressure and to make decisions outside of the pocket make him an electric player to watch and will generate buzz for him, more so if Arizona gets off to a hot start.

The Cardinals have the 27th easiest schedule heading into 2025, with Murray notably playing better earlier in the season throughout his career. If the two-time Pro Bowler can take advantage of an easier strength of schedule, while putting up counting stats, his MVP hopes aren’t that hard to imagine.