Arizona Cardinals: Was LeSean McCoy right about Kyler Murray?

Earlier this week, former NFL running back LeSean McCoy had a few choice words to describe Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. 

Kyler Murray faced some harsh criticism that served as the pinnacle of the critique he received dating back to his rookie season. Since 2019, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback has been criticized for his lack of leadership, negative body language, and spats with the franchise over his contract.

Compare that final critique with Lamar Jackson, drafted a season ahead of Murray. Like Murray, Jackson also wanted a new contract, before showing his high level of maturity by stopping negotiations when the season began.

Murray hasn’t shown the maturity that Jackson has shown, and this season, Jackson is among the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Murray, meanwhile, looks more like Baker Mayfield in all but two measly quarters. So perhaps, when you look at LeSean McCoy’s recent criticism of Murray, there is a point to be made.

LeSean McCoy the latest to criticize the Arizona Cardinals quarterback

McCoy compared Murray’s play to that of a high school quarterback, using the adjective “trash” to describe the former number one overall pick.

"“He’s trash. Overhyped. Overrated. He plays like a high school player. Runs around, runs backward, he does a circle, the ballerina circle, then goes left, goes right, turns all the way around again, then looks for a wide receiver. That’s not how you play quarterback.” – LeSean McCoy via CBS Sports."

Of course, you could say the same thing about Jackson, who like Murray is a dual threat quarterback. Difference is, Jackson wins unless he’s playing hurt. Murray has yet to win the NFC West or a playoff game.

You can pin some blame on head coach Kliff Kingsbury, however, who seems to have zero idea of how to utilize Murray’s talents, unlike John Harbaugh, who tailored his system so Jackson could excel.

McCoy was also critical of Murray’s (lack of) ability to read coverages. A lack of ability that may have led to Murray’s short-lived contract clause to commit four weekly hours of independent study to the playbook.

Is Kyler Murray “Trash?”

So was McCoy right about Murray? While Murray isn’t as bad as 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield or Mitchell Trubisky, the top quarterback taken in 2017, he is also leaning toward disappointment status as an NFL quarterback.

Yes, he has shown flashes that he can be the franchise guy. But Murray’s 23-25-1 record is spotty, and something you expect more from a former number one overall pick. Compare him to Joe Burrow, whose natural leadership ability led a struggling Cincinnati Bengals team to the Super Bowl just one season after a 4-12 finish.

Murray is no bust, and no, he’s not “trash,” but he’s barely a top 15 quarterback at this point. If Murray goes back there, runs around as McCoy claims, and wins games, this entire saga and debate isn’t happening. Jackson has the same style and he wins. So does Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. Even Patrick Mahomes will scramble to extend plays.

Common denominator? After three weeks in the NFL season, the aforementioned quarterbacks win. Murray doesn’t win and he’s barely won unless he has DeAndre Hopkins in his corner. So until Murray proves he can elevate talent around him and join the top tier of quarterbacks, he will always be a physically gifted underachiever.

Article Source: LeSean McCoy slams Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s play style: ‘He’s trash,’ plays ‘like a high school player’ by Cody Benjamin