Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was able to fit the billing as a former No. 1 pick during his rookie year. It appears expectations are now as high as ever going into the 2020 NFL season.

Murray helped lead quite the resurgence on offense under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. General manager Steve Keim was optimistic during an appearance NBC Sports’ Lunch Talk Live that he is ready to take that next step this season:

“I think it comes down to the professional side of it, and that’s the way he studies, the way he prepares,” Keim said. “Not that he didn’t before, but we all know that to be an elite quarterback in this league, you have to be prepared mentally more than anything else, and I think the guy has shown that he’s got a tremendous skill-set. The athleticism is off the charts. I think he’s even a better pure passer than people have anticipated, but the thing that’s gonna separate him is the ability to process, to see things, to make good decisions, get the ball out of his hands, don’t take so many sacks. I think those are the areas that you’re going to see him grow in 2020.”

It is safe to say that there are many that would agree with Keim's praise, Although it took him several draft picks and plenty of wasted cap space over the years, it is safe to say that Arizona finally found their franchise quarterback.

Keim and Kingsbury have not been shy about where they stand in Murray's development as the NFL's next elite quarterback. They have made it clear that they are hoping to see that same kind of jump in Year 2 that the last two league MVP's enjoyed in Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Although Murray making his way into the same conversation as soon as the 2020 campaign may seem far-fetched, the Cardinals have made efforts to help it come to fruition. This was highlighted by their steal of a trade that landed them former Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Bringing in a receiver of Hopkins' caliber to this revamped offense could serve as the catalyst that helps Murray take the league by storm.