In a surprising development, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen suggests that there is acrimony between the Cardinals and QB Kyler Murray. The veteran reporter says that “sources” have described Murray as a self-centered, immature finger-pointer, and that Murray himself is frustrated with the franchise. Mortensen adds that Murray was embarrassed by Arizona’s playoff loss to the Rams in this year’s wildcard round and that the former Heisman winner believes he has been unfairly scapegoated for the loss (Twitter link).
Other prominent industry names take issue with the report. Pro Football Talk denounces the claims of Mortensen’s sources as a “bizarre hit job” and suggests that those claims represent an unfair characterization of Murray (Twitter link). Longtime NFL writer Gregg Rosenthal also calls the credibility of those sources into question (Twitter link).
Troy Renck of Denver 7, however, believes Murray does indeed have work to do as a leader, saying that Murray needs to do a better job of sharing credit when the Cardinals win and shouldering blame when they lose (Twitter link). Renck does say that head coach Kliff Kingsbury needs to improve as a play-caller — which is hardly an uncommon opinion — and that Murray’s frustration with the offense is understandable.
Regardless, it would be a shock if the Cardinals even considered moving on from Murray. Mortensen acknowledges (via Twitter) that the organization is committed to their two-time Pro Bowler, and that Kingsbury plans to do some “self-scouting” in an effort to provide Murray with “better alternatives” (though Arizona was eighth in the league in total offense in 2021). Furthermore, Mortensen says “select veterans” plan to reach out to Murray to help him improve on how he handles adversity.
The Cardinals, of course, jumped out to a 7-0 start in 2021 but won just four of their final 10 games. Murray missed three games due to a high ankle sprain and was generally not as effective upon his return as he was prior to the injury. His playoff performance against Los Angeles was his worst showing of the season, as he completed just 19-of-34 passes for 137 yards and two interceptions.
With three years of service time under his belt, Murray is now extension-eligible, and it will be interesting to see if player and team are willing to commence extension talks at this point. The Cardinals will have to make a decision on Murray’s fifth-year option for the 2023 season by May 2 of this year, and because he has earned multiple Pro Bowl nods, his fifth-year option salary would be roughly $28.5MM (fully-guaranteed).
In response to Mortensen’s report, the Cardinals have released the following statement (Twitter links via Pro Football Talk):
“Nothing has changed regarding our opinion and high regard for Kyler Murray. We as a team and Kyler individually have improved each year he’s been in the league. We are excited to continue that improvement in 2022 and are excited that Kyler Murray is the quarterback leading us.”
Murray isn’t the one with the track record going back to his college days of his teams completely folding in the second half of every season. That would be Kingsbury. Plus a coach from an offensive background shouldn’t have so many people suggesting that his play calling stinks.
That’s the nature of the QB position though. All credit for the W’s and blame for the L’s
If he would prefer…. He can switch back to playing pro baseball and see how that works for him.
This franchise should be getting down on their hand and knees to kiss this dwarfs feet
He’s 5’10” and could whoop your butt. Another keyboard warrior talking big.
Lol ya in 3 inch cleats maybe
Yeh, maybe on a ladder!
Your unnamed sources aren’t as credible as my unnamed sources.
At any rate… Eagles, Giants, Texans, Packers, 9ers, at the very least make a call.
Shanahan salivating
The Niners could only get him if the Cardinals thought Lance was more desirable than multiple first round picks AND the Cardinals we’re willing to trade him within the division. I’d peg the chances of that at around 0%.
The Panthers would make the most sense to me. Desperate need, desire to compete soon, and a top ten pick.
Giants have much bigger issues than QB and need to use every draft asset they have, not trade them all for Murray.
Watched that playoff loss to the Rams…..Murray has nobody to blame other than a lot of his bad judgment and questionable execution….anyone surprised that he is pointing fingers and doesn’t rate as a “leader”?
Giants don’t just say no….HELL NO!
Minor League Baseball season is nearing.
I’m a Cards fan and have hated Murray since his appearance on the Dan Patrick show before he declared for the draft. Such a weird guy. He also unfollowed the Cardinals so to act like everything is fine is ridiculous
Cards need to get a real coach and stop wasting Murray in his prime with this taco tech bs offense. Never gonna win anything.
I dunno. Kingsbury is not a great coach by any means but this offense is tailor-made for Murray and the organization went way out of its way to stock up the offensive cast for him. Murray has his own limitations he needs to work on. The Cardinals have their own issues, but going all in on Murray is not an area that they need to do better in.
Bring back Jim Hart. He couldn’t beat the Rams in the playoffs either but his career lasted 18 years which is pretty darn good for a UDFA.
It’s the same old story, the QB gets too much credit when they win and takes too much blame when they lose. Growing up is part of it
It seems like nothing football or non-football will ever make the Cardinals move on from Keim, which they should have a long time ago.
I still think this is all gamesmanship between a player and organization who are about to be allowed to negotiate an extension for the first time, though.
Is it possible we may just be seeing a passive-aggressive coach-killer move, with Murray indirectly stirring up a him-or-me scenario?
The comments about Murray are coming from Kingsbury’s camp.
He isn’t the a one being passive aggressive.
I had not heard or concluded where the “bizarre hit job” originated or whether the comments preceded Murray’s social media refresh… though I see how the Kingsbury camp could be pushing such a narrative.
This whole situation seems so bizarre.
I don’t think Murray has got much criticism. I don’t think Kliff is a bad coach either.
Murray just had a bad game against the best team. He could do with more protection and all off could improve as a play caller but Murray also needs to improve in areas too.
No one should get all the blame and I don’t think anyone has revived to much criticism. If anything Kyler needs to grow up a little and deal with better loses and things not going his way.
Troy Rencks comments are pretty insightful for a 7 year old
Kliff Kingbury has had two seasons in both college and the pros where his teams have gone above 500. And he was given a team in Arizona with a generational talent at WB and found a veteran D coordinator to run the other side of the ball.
The idea that the team would side with Kingsbury over Murray is absurd, and there are probably at least 20 NFL franchises who would take him off the his hands so he can implode the team with an inferior QB.
If Kingsbury is really looking for a QB, my guess is he planted the story to Mortensen through a third party.
Murray isn’t the problem. Murray IS the Cardinals offense.
DeAndre Hopkins would disagree.
Take Jimmy G. Please, take him. – A 49ers Fan
What’s one thing that can kill a locker room?
A whining a$$
Maybe he can play a Oompa Loompa in the next remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
“ESPN’s Chris Mortensen… says that ‘sources’ have described Murray as a self-centered, immature finger-pointer, and that Murray himself is frustrated with the franchise.”
Where’s the lie? Deletes all association with the team. Refusing to handle this lose professionally. Continues to wear the A’s hat, a team he left after realizing he had more guaranteed money going to the NFL.
Send him to Houston for Watson
Murray seemed to be mad and hostile on several occasions this year after plays that went sideways. He needs to mature. In the same regard Kingsbury is not an NFL Head Coach. He is a buffoon. Keim as GM has made several questionable decisions along with his DUI and really shouldn’t be a GM of a NFL Club.
Not a franchise QB, if anyone pays him as such they’re f-ed.