NFC West QB named dark-horse MVP candidate

It's never too early to start predicting who could be named this year's top players now that most teams' rosters are set ahead of training camp.

NFL.com's Judy Battista clearly agrees, as she named eight dark horse MVP candidates ahead of the 2024 season. Among those is Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

"He's healthy and thinks he's had one of the best offseasons of his career, and he's building off a very strong finish to 2023," Battista wrote. "...When Murray is healthy, he's one of the most thrilling players in football."

Arizona was almost out of playoff contention by the time Murray, who was coming of a torn ACL in 2022, returned to the starting lineup in Week 10 last season, but he turned the offense around in short time.

Murray threw for 1,799 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 244 yards and three touchdowns over the final eight games of the Cardinals' season. The team also led the league in total offense (414.3 yards per game) during the final four games.

Now more than a year removed from his injury and the addition of rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Murray believes Arizona can have one of the best offenses in the league.

"I think that takes us to another level," Murray said, via ESPN. "When you got a guy out there that is capable of winning one-on-ones, obviously he's got to go do it and he knows that. We all know it, but as far as manipulating coverage and stuff like that, you got a guy out there that can do that and even if he's not open, he's open. I'm excited to be able to build that with him, but when he does what he does, yeah, I fully expect our offense to be top of the league."

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft should be the bona fide No. 1 wide receiver the Cardinals have been missing after reeling in 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns the past two seasons at Ohio State.

If Harrison Jr. can translate his dominant play to the next level, he could help Murray have a dark horse MVP campaign. Although, Battista thinks it will take more than just blowing up the stat sheet to be named the NFL's most valuable player by season's end.

"The Cardinals will have to win a lot more games for Murray to catch voters' eyes," Battista added. "But if Murray can pick up where he left off last year, and if Harrison explodes in his rookie season, Murray could at least position himself for future MVP consideration."