Yahoo! Sports NFL writer Nate Tice sees potential for Cardinals in 2025

The Arizona Cardinals have high expectations for the 2025 season. What does it take for them to be back on track for the playoffs? The next big step?

Murray is entering Year 7 with the Cardinals, and with only one playoff appearance in 2021, fans have reason for impatience.

Yahoo! Sports NFL writer Nate Tice sees the positive in Murray throughout his career.

“I think everyone thinks he’s more just the very high and very low, not a consistent quarterback,” Tice told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Thursday.

“When I watched him, I saw a lot of growth in his game, even if there was some negative moments. I think nationally, a lot of people just think it’s still Kyler from Year 2 where it’s a lot of runaround stuff and can’t live up to the big moment.”

Head coach Jonathan Gannon is also looking for his moment to take the program back to the spotlight. Tice believes Gannon can move the Cardinals a step forward in 2025.

“I’ve been kind of taking a keen interest in what the Cardinals and what Ganon’s been building here for the last couple years. Kind of say it’s been the Dan Campbell path, the Lions path, maybe a Diet Coke version of that, but I really think that this year is going to be that step forward,” Tice said.

Every positive thought comes with a negative.

What happens if the Cardinals don’t take the next step? Does Murray need to be traded? Gannon fired?

Tice said it takes time to rebuild a program, but there’s always concerns when it comes to the offense and defense.

“It depends on what kind of makes their falling out happen. If it was a repeat of last year, then it’s like, ‘OK, do we need more firepower? Is this defense working for us? If the offense is the one holding them back this year, or if it just kind of plateaus, then it’s bigger questions.’ To me, this was always a four-year build,” Tice said.

With the offseason signings, mainly on the defense, there is a lot of potential for the Cardinals to take over in the NFC West. Tice acknowledged saying it’s a wide-open race this year.

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