Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who has yet to go to work on his new contract, is already on the hot seat. With the potential 2024 number-one pick in their possession, the Cardinals could do the unimaginable, and dump Murray and his massive deal.
Will the Arizona Cardinals Move On From Kyler Murray?
The 2019 first-overall pick from Oklahoma was also the ninth overall pick by the Oakland Athletics. The accolades were many in his first season. Murray was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, setting several Cardinals franchise rookie quarterback records along the way. In his first two seasons, he made the Pro Bowl and led Arizona to the postseason in 2021.
Good fortune was hit and miss for Murray. In 2021, Arizona jumped out to a 7-0 record. From there the wheels would come off. After going 3-2, Kyler Murray led the Cardinals to a 1-4 record. In the final game of the season, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback lost a wild one in Seattle 38-30. Murray would make his postseason debut in the Wild Card Round, losing to the Los Angeles Rams 34–11.
The Cardinals signal caller had a disastrous performance. His line for the game had him throw for 137 yards with two interceptions. With Murray at quarterback, Arizona had zero touchdowns, as he set a career low in passer rating of 40.9
In 2022, Murray would sign a monster contract for five years and $230.5 million to stay with the Cardinals, with $160 million of the deal being guaranteed. Then it all went south.
Kyler Murray’s 5 year, $230.5M #Cardinals‘ extension includes:
$104.3M GTD at sign
Cap Hits
22: 12.6M
23: 16M
24: 51.8M
25: 45.6M
26: 55.5M
27: 43.5M
28: 46.3MBreakdown:https://t.co/fH4kwysgfM
— Spotrac (@spotrac) July 22, 2022
Arizona would win its last game of the 2022 NFL campaign on November 13, beating the Rams in LA 27-17. From there the Cardinals would go 0-7 to finish with a dismal 4-13 record. Murray suffered an ACL injury and the team finished dead last in the NFC West, costing Kliff Kingsbury his job at the end.
A New Era of Cardinals Football
2023 has seen something of a renewal in Glendale as the Cardinals prep for a new season. New GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have a blank canvas that is beginning to fill in. The selection of Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round was an indication the Cardinals are done being a league bottom feeder.
With the 6th Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Paris Johnson Jr. pic.twitter.com/tbIUExCBqt
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 28, 2023
Ossenfort scored even bigger in 2023 when the Cardinals picked up a few big picks for 2024: potentially the first overall selection in next year’s draft. Speculation is high that Arizona could reboot the quarterback position. Ossenfort could own the top of the draft with the first and second overall picks. Both Arizona and Houston have the worst odds to win the Super Bowl. With both teams likely big losers in 2023, the Cardinals could cash in.
Possible Cardinals Quarterback Options
With Spring Football over in the college ranks, a few top names emerged as legitimate first-round selections in 2024.
Caleb Williams of USC remains the frontrunner, ahead of Drake Maye from North Carolina. Other names include dual-threat quarterback Michael Pratt of Tulane and Florida State’s Jordan Travis.
Williams’ head coach is Lincoln Riley, the cool West Coast guru on the verge of relaunching the USC brand in the Big Ten. The Trojan quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is an architect on the field, with some of the best mechanics seen in recent times. Williams possesses excellent anticipation to get the ball out to the right playmaker in seemingly impossible situations. Williams’ finished 2022 with a completion rate of 66.6%, had 4,537 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, and a paltry five interceptions on 500 passing attempts.
𝐇𝐄𝟏𝟑𝐌𝐀𝐍
Congratulations to @CALEBcsw on taking home the 2022 Heisman Trophy!@uscfb x #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/LaBNZypHh1
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 11, 2022
The Clock is Ticking on Kyler Murray With the Arizona Cardinals
It is not hard to believe Murray is on the hot seat in Arizona. Along with Kingsbury, Cardinals football has been a roller coaster of highs and lows. The problem is there have been more lows than highs with Murray.
Ossenfort and Gannon are looking to create a new foundation with the Cardinals, and it is fair to ask if Murray will be a part of it. While moving his contract would be a heavy lift, quarterback-desperate teams needing to win would roll the dice. The Atlanta Falcons is one team. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the Miami Dolphins could be done, and head coach Mike McDaniel would love Murray. Other teams include the Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Rams. Those organizations would move heaven and earth to make the contract work to have him on their roster.
The Arizona Cardinals are on the clock in 2024 and they have yet to play the 2023 season. With that said, the Cardinals must think one of two things: the organization doesn’t necessarily believe in Murray anymore, or the one-time first-overall pick has become absolutely expendable. Either way, the clock is ticking loud in Arizona.
Main Photo: Joe Rondone – USA Today Sports
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