NFL.com’s Battista: Arizona Cardinals significantly helped their quarterback

NFL.com columnist Judy Battista ranked the Arizona Cardinals as the fourth-best team to help their quarterback during the offseason.

Battista’s main argument was that the Cardinals acquired Murray’s former college teammate at Oklahoma in wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.

The Cardinals haven’t yet given Kyler Murray what he really wants — a new contract — but they did provide him with a very nice token of their affection in the meantime. Set aside the compensation the Cards relinquished in the trade for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. They gave Murray a big-play weapon and, not incidentally, his favorite receiver from their Oklahoma days. In three seasons with the Ravens, Brown had 11 touchdowns of at least 20 yards. And his presence in Arizona became even more critical when DeAndre Hopkins was suspended six games for violating the performance enhancing drug policy.

Murray was was ecstatic to reunite with Brown, taking to Twitter soon after the trade was made to express his excitement over the acquisition.

Let’s run it back! Hollywood to the desert… Y’all welcome my boy! @Primetime_jet 🔥🥋🚀

— Kyler Murray (@K1) April 29, 2022

While Brown felt like he wasn’t properly utilized in Baltimore, he will certainly need to have a big impact with Hopkins out of the lineup for the team’s first six games.

Murray and Brown were as dynamic as they come going back to their collegiate days at Oklahoma.

Murray took over full-time quarterback duties in 2018 at Oklahoma in which Brown was by far his favorite target as the QB put up 4,361 passing yards as well as 42 touchdown passes.

Brown put up insane numbers that season, reeling in 75 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns

Aside from the Brown acquisition, the Cardinals bolstered their offense in other areas to help Murray this upcoming season.

After acquiring Zach Ertz from the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6 of last season, the Cardinals signed the tight end to a three-year, $31 million contract this offseason..

Ertz in 11 games with the Cardinals last season put up 56 catches to go along with 574 yards and three touchdowns.

With right guard as the only question mark for the Cardinals offensive line entering the offseason, the team signed former New York Giants lineman Will Hernandez to a four-year, $7.45 million contract.

The Cardinals also re-signed running back James Conner to a three-year, $21 million contract.

After signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals last year, Conner rushed for 752 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The 15 rushing touchdowns for Conner were tied for second-most in the NFL behind Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor.

And while former Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk is now in Jacksonville, the team went out and re-signed veteran A.J. Green to a one-year, $3 million contract.

Green in his lone season with the Cardinals put up 54 receptions while accumulating 848 yards and three touchdowns.

Conner, Hernandez, Ertz, Brown and Green will all look to step up in a big way to help Murray succeed before and after Hopkins’ six-game absence.