Is the end in sight for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals?

Kyler Murray has had an up-and-down career so far in the NFL. Drafted number one overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft, the dual-threat QB has struggled to establish himself, and his team, alongside the elites across the league, despite having shown glimpses of his immense talent.

As a Heisman Trophy winner, the 26-year-old had a lot of hype around him when he first came into the league, but has shown some areas of concern. These concerns have many people questioning whether he is the future of the Cardinals.

The major strength of Murray’s game has always been his athleticism. His scrambling ability is something that separates him from other quarterbacks and is an essential skill of his which him to pick up extra yardage if no passing option is available. In today’s league, teams will look for a mobile quarterback as they produce more threats to defences than your traditional pocket passer.

The way Murray throws the ball is imposing, as he can throw it accurately in tight windows. It allows an offence to gain the maximum yardage if the quarterback can throw the ball to a receiver in a window. Arm strength separates a quarterback from being good to being great. It allows the quarterback to create chuck plays if they get the ball to the receivers downfield. Murray has proven that he can make big plays on the run. It is handy because it extends plays and takes the pressure off the offensive line. Murray has a lot of skills that make him great. However, he has some holes that need filling. 

Murray’s size can sometimes be a problem for the former Oklahoma Sooner. If a quarterback is lower in the pocket, vision on the field could be a disadvantage, which could lead to making the wrong reads. Off the pitch, there are issues for Murray and the Cardinals. There is always a lot of drama in the off-season between the two.

In addition, in his latest contract deal, the Cardinals stated that Murray must spend a certain amount of time watching films. A good relationship between the quarterback and the franchise is essential for team morale and the fanbase. Something like this could cause the front office in Arizona to rethink whether Murray is the right quarterback for them.

Murray is a great athlete and is an elite player on the field. However, sometimes, his actions off the field overshadowed this, which is a shame because he could be a fantastic franchise quarterback.