When Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray took the field this season, we saw a quarterback expected to play to his new contract.
Well, well, well. Call me a sympathetic person for even remotely considering handing Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray a potential reprieve. When Murray tore his ACL in December, I said, “Okay, Murray will have an opportunity to rehab, bounce back, return stronger than he was this season, and prove myself and other doubters wrong.”
Before the injury, I was critical of Murray in every aspect. For one, he demanded a new contract before he’d even won a division title or even a playoff game. Then he held a press conference addressing the “independent study clause” in his new deal as opposed to taking it in stride.
Criticism from Murray came from every corner of the NFL universe, and rightfully so. Murray tanked this season, and now we might know why. Were my own criticisms of his lack of work ethic and maturity, and those of others, justified?
It sure seems like it, since now, a teammate who wanted to remain anonymous has come to the forefront. And they echoed everything about who I thought Murray was during a season when he failed miserably to live up to his new deal.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray faces new critics
Murray displayed his immaturity countless times this past season, including a sideline spat with former coach Kliff Kingsbury, using Twitter to retaliate to Patrick Peterson’s criticisms, before telling the former Cardinals corner to “call me.” When Peterson reached out, Murray didn’t respond.
But still, many in Cardinals circles continued to make excuses for him. “It was Kliff,” they said. But Murray had some outstanding moments under Kliff. He won Rookie of the Year and went to two Pro Bowls. Kliff was a problem, but he wasn’t the reason Murray struggled in 2022, given the quarterback’s success under him.
And now, this anonymous teammate echoed much of what I said about Murray earlier in the year. Check out this quote from NFL Insider Michael Silver, who spoke with the teammate.
"“Once paid, the veteran said, Murray felt less compulsion to study his game plan or to fulfill the expectations of the franchise QB position than he had in the past, and the Cardinals’ collapse felt predictable.“Because he now has financial security and relies heavily on speed and mobility, Murray may not feel compelled to push it,”- via Yard Barker."
The latter part of the quote, of course, pertained to Murray’s recovery from a torn ACL. Kingsbury came out and said Murray may not be ready for the 2023 season after all. This came after we were initially told it was a clean ACL tear and that Murray would be ready for the season opener in September.
Oh, and if the teammate wanted to remain anonymous, that means only one thing. They fear retaliation. And that’s a sad state of affairs within the Arizona Cardinals organization if you ask me.
This tells me that Murray’s career is officially at crossroads. Either he has the work ethic and the desire to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL or he doesn’t. Right now, things aren’t looking up for the 25-year-old. And it’s ultimately his call.
Murray has the talent to become a great NFL quarterback. But if he doesn’t put in the work, the Arizona Cardinals need to stop wasting their time, chalk up Murray as yet another mistake, and find a quarterback who will put in the work. As it stands, my faith in Murray is null and void.
Article Source: Anonymous teammate says Cardinals ‘created a monster’ by paying Kyler Murray by Zac Wassink
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