Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray needs to grow up

The tirade that Kyler Murray directed at Kliff Kingsbury last Thursday night was quite embarrassing for the Arizona Cardinals. 

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill must’ve been thoroughly embarrassed last Thursday night. The Cards had posted a badly-needed 42-34 victory over the New Orleans Saints, but it was something that happened late in the first half that captured the nation’s attention.

With millions of football enthusiasts watching, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray went absolutely ballistic on Kliff Kingsbury during a second-quarter timeout. It seems that the diminutive passer didn’t appreciate the sideline “antics” of his head coach, leading him to tell Kingsbury to “Calm the (expletive) down”. Both parties downplayed the incident after the game, but Murray’s actions were completely inexcusable.

Should the disrespect that Murray showed Kingsbury versus the Saints be tolerated by the organization that made him a very rich man back in July? Should a signal-caller who has not yet won an NFL playoff game be disrespecting the man who’s constantly had his back through some very tough times?

It’s quite possible that Murray is just your typical pampered athlete who may have gotten away with those types of tirades at the collegiate, high school and Pop Warner levels. It’s not a crime to disagree with your coach, but there’s a time and a place for everything. Murray went about it in the worst possible way during that nationally-televised telecast.

Kyler Murray’s immature antics could be wearing thin on the Arizona Cardinals

Murray’s incident with Kingsbury is just the latest of the player’s various indiscretions that the Arizona hierarchy has been forced to deal with. The two-time Pro Bowler showed his unhappiness with his contract back in February by removing all team-related photos from his personal Instagram account. Murray displayed even more immature behavior when he “unfollowed” the Cards on Twitter.

There were also allegations that Murray would call his girlfriend, or even wear earbuds, during the halftime of Cardinals games. The Texas native’s body language on the playing field has also been criticized, especially Murray’s penchant for showing up his teammates following a botched play.

It can also be argued that Murray does not come off as very likable during his press conferences and interviews. There’s an air of arrogance that surrounds the 25-year-old that’s kind of a turn off.

It’s mind-boggling that Murray could act that way towards Kingsbury, his number-one supporter. There’s very little chance that the 5 foot 10, 207 pound quarterback would’ve been the top pick of the 2019 draft if Kingsbury hadn’t been hired by Arizona just three months before. There are legion of fans, including yours truly, who still believe that defensive end Nick Bosa should’ve been chosen over Murray.

Maybe one day Murray will grow up, and the Cards will get some payback on their $230.5 million investment. For now, Bidwill can only hope that he didn’t sign off on a huge mistake.