Arizona Cardinals: Time to have a conversation about Kyler Murray

It’s time for the Arizona Cardinals to have a come to with themselves regarding quarterback Kyler Murray after yesterday’s showing. 

All year long, the Arizona Cardinals faithful, myself included, have been on the Fire Kliff bandwagon. And believe me, Kliff, at this point, should be gone if the Cardinals finish the season 6-11 or worse. Maybe even 7-10, as they looked like a far cry from the playoff team they were last season.

However, while everyone rightfully called for Kliff’s firing, which even trickled to general manager Steve Keim, they also made excuses for Kyler Murray. Sion, how could you even consider blaming Murray? He’s being misused in Kliff’s offense!

Yesterday’s broadcast, however, and even reporters around the NFL, thought differently. Take a look at the Tweet below:

One excuse I  heard regarding Murray was that the offensive line was protecting McCoy better and committing fewer errors. But the Tweet above proves this claim wrong. McCoy was getting rid of the ball faster, even with a collapsing pocket.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s flaws exposed by McCoy

Of course, Bo Brack wasn’t the only notable reporter who noticed something. Chuck Harris had this to say about McCoy.

McCoy, despite being limited in terms of overall talent and arm strength, something that plagued him before he entered the league, still looked beyond comfortable. One aspect is that unlike Murray, McCoy was more willing to take snaps under center and deliver an accurate ball.

Murray, who lines up a few yards behind center on virtually every play, has become more one-dimensional in nature, something that will catch up at the NFL level. This was something you didn’t see from McCoy.

What does this mean for Murray?

It’s clear the only real difference in McCoy’s game than Murray’s was the fact Kingsbury was having his quarterback line up under center regularly. McCoy was also able to look, find the hot read quickly, and methodically move the Cardinals downfield.

While Murray signed a long-term deal, it’s really time to wonder whether he is the long-term answer at quarterback or if he has already reached his ceiling. Even though it’s not going to happen, I’d like to see the Cardinals just package Murray and ship him off to someone like the Lions or Texans for high picks before his value tanks.

This is assuming he doesn’t fix his flaws in holding onto the ball too long, throwing underneath, and merely overthinking things that lead to mistakes. Think I just described Tim Couch. Anyway, he also needs to show more leadership skills, something he hasn’t even remotely done in a game situation.

For a quarterback entering his fifth season in 2023, especially a former first overall pick, Murray should have already learned and honed these skills. He hasn’t. So realistically, Murray will get one more chance in the desert given his contract and draft status.

But overall, as a fan of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, I’m seeing Murray look more and more like the Cardinals version of a young Jack Eichel. Like Eichel, Murray has pointed fingers, displayed lack of leadership, clashed with coaches and management, and while his numbers aren’t bad, underperformed during games, and led his team short of postseason success.

Murray will get his chance for another season in the desert, which is making me cringe considering the 2023 Quarterback Class (C.J. Stroud, anyone?). But if he can’t fix his current issues, especially after McCoy’s play implied Murray has been a bigger problem than Kingsbury, then the Redbirds are going to have no choice and admit they missed on yet another quarterback.

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