Coaches share worrisome takes about Murray forward of essential season
Since final winter, quite a few in-the-know people have urged that the Arizona Cardinals may half methods with quarterback Kyler Murray subsequent offseason if he would not a minimum of notch the first profession playoff win of his profession in January 2026.
On Monday, The Athletic’s Mike Sando shared {that a} panel of six NFL basic managers, six assistant basic managers, six former basic managers, 5 different executives, eight head coaches and 19 different coaches ranked Murray because the league’s Fifteenth-best participant on the place and as a “Tier 3” signal-caller. Based on Sando, a Tier 3 quarterback “is a respectable starter however wants a heavier operating recreation and/or defensive element to win.”
A number of coaches spoke with Sando about why they do not view Murray as a top-10 quarterback this summer season.
“I’ve performed him an excessive amount of, and I nonetheless suppose he is a [Tier] 3,” one unnamed defensive coach mentioned about Murray. “I do not suppose he wins it for you within the two-minute drill. If you wish to be within the high half of this league, it’s a must to win within the two-minute drill and management it. He doesn’t do this.”
Considerably apparently, Murray not too long ago acknowledged he simply now feels he is the place he was earlier than he went down with a knee harm in December 2022 that left him needing ACL surgical procedure and a few meniscus restore. Whereas he returned to the Arizona lineup in November 2023, he tweaked his knee in Week 1 of the 2024 season. Per the StatMuse web site, Murray ended the marketing campaign with a career-low 4.59 dashing makes an attempt per recreation.
“Creates the mismatch together with his legs, not his arm,” one other defensive coach mentioned about Murray. “He is Tier 3 with a handsome baseball slide after his fourth scramble in a two-minute drill.”
Based on Professional Soccer Reference, Murray ended final season ranked ninth within the NFL with a 66.5 adjusted QBR. Per StatMuse, he was eighth with a mixed 4,423 passing and dashing yards, and he was tied for twelfth with 26 mixed passing and dashing touchdowns.
Such stats recommend Murray may take a staff the place it desires to go, however one nameless basic supervisor is not bought.
“I nonetheless do not belief him,” that GM mentioned about Murray. “He has [Tier] 2 expertise however continues to be a 3 to me. Is he dedicated to it? He at all times tends to tail off because the season goes on.”
As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Cardinals at +115 odds to make the playoffs this season. Whereas Arizona signed Murray to a five-year contract extension reportedly price $230.5M with $160M assured in the summertime of 2022, the membership may escape the rest of that deal subsequent yr if it desires to pursue an marketed improve on the sport’s most vital place.
Murray could look to make use of such chatter as bulletin-board materials forward of the Cardinals’ Week 1 recreation on the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 7.
