Kyler Murray‘s 2022 hovered at the center of the Cardinals’ decision to reboot their operation this offseason. The team’s 4-13 record led to the franchise moving on from GM Steve Keim and HC Kliff Kingsbury, the decision-makers that chose Murray first overall in 2019. As the Monti Ossenfort–Jonathan Gannon regime takes over, Murray is rehabbing an ACL tear.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback is expected to miss regular-season time, though it is unknown how much of the year he will miss. This comes after a December injury, but Murray’s 2022 was not going well leading up to that abrupt conclusion. The contract request and controversial homework clause (which the team awkwardly removed soon after its inclusion) in the $230.5MM deal preceded an inconsistent season, one that also involved friction between Murray and Kingsbury.
“To hit a wall Year 4, especially after going through the whole contract thing, the energy, the aura, the vibes going into the season were all negative,” Murray said during the Cardinals’ Flight Plan series (via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban). “Having to deal with all that stuff and trying to focus on football, and then I got Covid in camp, I hurt my wrist in camp so I missed a lot of reps, and having to play catch-up in the season, starting with the Chiefs, it was kind of a compilation of [expletive]-up things going on.
“… The whole [last] year was [expletive]. It happened for a reason. The things we were doing weren’t sustainable for success. It was necessary and in turn good will come out of what happened.”
Murray, who received $103.3MM fully guaranteed upon signing his extension last July, averaged a career-low 6.1 yards per attempt, threw just 14 touchdown passes and ranked 19th in QBR. The former Heisman winner has endured criticism for his lack of leadership and commitment, with the film-study clause bringing the latter issue to the forefront. He has also struggled with nagging injuries, missing three games in 2021 and two in 2022 prior to the knee malady.
Kingsbury and Murray were seen arguing during a Cards Thursday-night win over the Saints in October, and the relationship did not exactly improve from there. Kingsbury is now back at USC coaching under Lincoln Riley, who coached Murray at Oklahoma. After two seasons as the Eagles’ DC, Gannon is in place to lead a rebuild effort. Michael Bidwill gave Murray input as to who the Cardinals would hire as their next HC.
“They are really investing in the organization and the team. You run through a wall for that type of guy. That’s the energy he brings,” Murray said of Gannon. “… I think winning cures all, and it’s been tough to do that with some of the circumstances we’ve had to deal with. But I think we are headed in the right direction.”
Murray, who will turn 26 next month, is a near-lock to begin training camp on the active/PUP list, Urban adds. No firm timetable has emerged, though the fifth-year passer is believed to have suffered a clean tear. Still, it would not surprise to see the Cards proceed with caution, seeing as they are unlikely to field a contending team this season. Colt McCoy looms as the team’s most likely Week 1 starter, and it will be interesting to see if the team places Murray on its reserve/PUP list — a designation that would shelve the QB for at least four games — to start the season.
“blah blah I was never as good as I was hyped blah blah”
… and that comes from a Boomer Sooner
Cardinals are going to finish last in their division, last in their conference, and most likely last in the NFL.
Arizona has 2 first round picks. The Cardinals did not hesitate to trade away former 1st Rd draft pick Josh Rosen when they brought in Murray. The Cardinals will just have to find some team crazy enough to trade for Kyler’s enormous contract.
Go get Teddy for the first few weeks or months
Huge mistake when they gave him new contract but used to that terrible decision making from Bidwell. This kid is not a good QB and definitely not a leader. More dysfunction and losing ahead here in the desert.
Murray does not project a leadership personality. If this posting provides his actual statements he’s deflecting all responsibility for his lack of success to others. A ‘leader’ recognizes their shortcomings first and ascertains what’s necessary to improve themself then their group or team.
I’ve not seen ‘pro bowl’ quality from this munchkin just an ability to mimic Fran Tarkenton with panic avoidance of defenders.
still time for baseball.
One can hope. There he’d be just another cog in the hub
Cards4Caleb should be trending anytime now
Murray has no passion for football. Now that he’s gotten his money you should therefore expect him to take nearly all of this year off.
I get that last year was tough for Murray, and I do not know him, so I will not pretend to understand his mindset. However, I am inclined to believe that at least SOME of last year’s poor play could have been improved with better execution by Murray.
Even if the “vibe” and “energy” was the primary reason for last year’s woes, you would figure that the player himself would have some regrets about missed opportunities. Again, I don’t know the situation, but Murray doesn’t seem to take accountability for any dysfunction himself in those quotes. Maybe he’s right, but it seems off from an outside perspective to just chalk it up to other people, bad luck, or nonspecific “vibes”.
I think he still has to mature some. The talent is there but successful people I’ve known leave the past in the past, learn from mistakes they’ve made and don’t lean on excuses or look to blame others for their problems.
They should have kept the study clause in his contract.
I think the study bit has limited value. Once you’re on the field, the game just moves too fast to engage in study. The great players always seem to achieve more relying on their natural intuition and instinct.
Hope not but guessing the new HC will win a total of 9 games at best in the next two years before getting dispatched in traditional cardinal fashion …