Kyler Murray has become a legit problem for the Arizona Cardinals

If Kyler Murray has been the deterrent of would-be head coaching hires for the Arizona Cardinals, then he has become a legit issue.

Back in October 2022, we at Raising Zona were starting to have major concerns about Kyler Murray, even if many in the Red Sea were hesitant to follow. In fact, there was far more criticism of our thoughts than perhaps any other angle we covered. But hey, to each their own.

Fast-forward to February 2023, and things seem to have taken a bit of a turn. More in the Arizona Cardinals faithful (at least among fans I’ve spoken with online) are starting to feel the same way.

Now, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network is reporting that Murray may be the reason the Redbirds are having such a tough time landing a head coach. They wrote the following:

"“Why is the Arizona Cardinals head coach job taking so long to fill? If you are to believe what people in Mobile are saying, it’s due to Kyler Murray — and it’s not because the quarterback has a large say in the matter.“Rather, many of the desired candidates don’t want to take the job knowing they’ll be tied to the hip of Murray for the next four seasons. Murray signed a five-year, $230 million contract in late August, and anyone who takes the Cardinals job will have no options in the foreseeable future at quarterback.” – via Pro Football Network"

Why candidates don’t want to work with the Arizona Cardinals quarterback

While it’s refreshing to know the Cardinals aren’t consulting Murray about the next potential hire – why would they? – it’s clear that, for one reason or another, these coaches simply don’t want to work with Murray.

For a quarterback who has all the talent in the world and has pulled off highlight reel plays with a few improbable comebacks, it’s pretty sad when the likes of Frank Reich, Sean Payton, Dan Quinn, and others sought other organizations. It’s clear Murray has all the talent in the world, so what’s going on here?

From what Pauline implied, it looks like Murray’s large contract. But then again, wouldn’t that attract a head coach to the desert knowing that they shouldn’t have to worry about finding a quarterback for a few seasons?

Not if that quarterback possesses a me-first mentality over the past season, if not longer. Not if that quarterback has yet to show a sliver of leadership skills and has drawn criticism from past teammates, the media, and even an anonymous teammate.

While it’s impossible to confirm as of right now, Murray’s attitude may be keeping these coaches from taking the job. Yeah, he has an ACL injury that may keep him out for up to half the 2023 season. But really, returning from such injuries better than ever is the norm these days.

Using the process of elimination, there is no other reason. These coaches simply don’t want to work with a quarterback who was seen jawing with coaches and teammates, trying to diffuse a questionable contract clause, and pointing fingers elsewhere.

I’ve said it many times: Murray is only 25 and could eventually grow out of this. And I hope he grows out of it and wins multiple Super Bowls in the desert, feel free to quote me on that. But as it stands, it looks as though few coaches want anything to do with the former number one overall pick. And it’s yet another demoralizing situation if you’ve been following this team over the past few months.

Article Sources:

NFL News and Rumors: Cardinals Head Coaching Search, Latest in Denver, and More by Tony Pauline

Report: Kyler Murray Deterring Potential Cardinals Coaching Candidates by Donnie Druin

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