Kyler Murray lastly returned for the Arizona Cardinals, making his season debut Sunday in a win over the Atlanta Falcons. The previous No. 1 general decide hadn’t set foot on an NFL discipline in practically a yr after tearing his ACL final season. Whereas Murray performed nicely in his return, it’s exhausting to disregard rumors about the Cardinals probably seeking to go one other course at quarterback. So, it might appear as if Murray is taking part in to maintain his spot in Arizon for the rest of this yr.
For somebody who hadn’t performed in virtually a yr, Murray regarded good and even ran the ball nicely, particularly on this play the place he made one thing out of nothing to maintain the Playing cards alive. He handed for 249 yards, accomplished slightly below 60 %, and had 33 yards on the bottom. It wasn’t an ideal recreation by any means, nevertheless it was adequate for Arizona’s second win.
It most likely sounds loopy, however there was loads of discuss over the previous 12 months concerning the Cardinals probably seeking to the draft once more to switch Murray. This discuss has been on the market regardless of the very fact the franchise handed Murray a large five-year extension with $160 million in assured cash lower than 18 months in the past.
All of the drama main as much as that extension seems to have been forgotten. The stipulation that was slipped into his deal about doing a sure variety of hours every week of “homework” (movie examine), then the backlash that adopted as soon as that info was leaked. Murray’s maturity stage was additionally questioned after he deleted any point out of the staff on his social media platforms.
Followers could have forgotten this stuff or just moved on, however the group doubtless has not.
As soon as it occurs, it’ll all the time be at the back of their minds it doesn’t matter what the outcomes on the sphere. What’s going to occur the following time one thing doesn’t go his approach is what the entrance workplace is considering. They received’t specific this publicly, nevertheless it’s there. It’s just like when one partner cheats however is taken again by the opposite. You progress previous it, nevertheless it’s all the time there at the back of your thoughts. What if we undergo tough instances once more . . . then what?
Murray remains to be younger (26) and presumably has a few years left forward of him. However one thing has the Cardinals allegedly considering of creating a change. When he final performed earlier than the harm, his file was 3-8. Clearly, that isn’t all on him, nevertheless it is likely to be sufficient, coupled with questions on maturity, for Arizona to look elsewhere. How the offense fares down the stretch will play a key think about former Rookie of the 12 months’s future as a Cardinal.
Enjoying nicely and having the ability to win persistently aren’t all the time unique offers. Surrounding a younger QB with expertise all the time helps, however there’s something to be stated about dealing with this duty in a specific method. With eight losses already this season, the Cardinals are tied with the second-worst file within the league.
There’s nonetheless loads of time to make it as much as that No. 1 spot and bounce into place to draft USC’s Caleb Williams. Whether or not he’ll need to play there’s one other difficulty. But when the chance is there, you must marvel if Arizona will bounce at taking Williams or stand pat with Murray. The subsequent seven video games may make the choice for them.
