Kyler Murray continues to rehabilitate mostly in silence, but his name was plastered all over the news again last week.
We will lead off the mailbag with an answer on that topic (apologies in advance; it gets lengthy) and then get into the rest.
“Why do so many “media” outside of AZ assume the Cards are moving on from Kyler? Clickbait or actual whispers?” – Andee Stewart
Kyle Odegard: I tried dousing this flame with a couple of Tweets last week but let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
To answer your question, I’m sure there are whispers about Kyler Murray’s future in NFL circles — but only because NFL people love to gossip.
(If you want to see it in action, attend the NFL Scouting Combine sometime and head out to the bars at night.)
Now, should a professional journalist be publishing unfounded speculation on a platform like ESPN? No, definitely not. Dan Graziano allowed anonymous sources to speak vaguely about a situation they weren’t privy to, which never should have seen the light of day.
So in essence it was clickbait, as ESPN profited off a story which shed zero new light on the situation, but now has the public-at-large believing the Cardinals are moving on.
So let me clear this up as best I can. As I said on Twitter, the relationship between Murray and the new regime has been strong for months and remains that way.
Jonathan Gannon came in with a plan that revolved around Murray, and really made an impression by attending his Heisman Trophy statue unveiling at Oklahoma in the offseason.
Murray was quickly struck by the schematic gifts of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing (which has played out on the field) and also developed a good rapport with quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork.
Am I here to tell you that if the Cardinals finished with the No. 1 overall pick, they wouldn’t take Caleb Williams? No. Obviously that could be a consideration, as could Drake Maye at No. 2.
But is it “likely” the Cardinals move on from Murray this offseason? Absolutely not.
Graziano called Murray’s contract a “whopper,” but anyone with a cursory understanding of the salary cap can see it’s a very typical quarterback contract for someone of his ability. Daniel Jones only makes $6 million less per year than Murray. Daniel Jones!
And what, exactly, would the plan be if the Cardinals don’t draft in the top-two? Trade Murray and roll with Joshua Dobbs? Draft the third- or fourth-best quarterback prospect and hope for the best, even though the guy you’ve got has made two Pro Bowls and showed MVP-level production for more than half a season at age-24?
I know, I know. That was quite the rant. But the idea that Murray is “likely” going to be traded this offseason is hogwash, and ESPN showed poor judgment in publishing it.
“Have you heard any recent Hollywood trade talks. I hope they keep him because him and Rondale have been playing great” – James Chafin
“Has there been any talk of an extension for Hollywood? He’s been balling and deserves it.” – Jamie
KO: I’ve heard that Hollywood would like to stay, but I’m not sure what the Cardinals plan to do.
Brown has an expiring contract and is the team’s most attractive trade chip. But he’s also been very good in the offense and would seem to make a bunch of sense as a guy to re-sign.
The Cardinals are going to have a lot of cap space next offseason, and at some point there are diminishing returns on that, because either you don’t spend it all or end up overpaying someone because you can.
Brown has proven to be a low-end No. 1 receiver, and locking him in for the next four seasons seems like a good move. At some point you need to start moving back toward competitiveness and keeping Brown helps that quite a bit.
Do the Cards still try to establish the run so prominently without JC? Does Dobbs suffer if they struggle to run the ball as well as they have so far?” – Daniel
KO: I think you have to keep running the ball a lot based on Dobbs’ skillset. He’s not a guy you want dropping back 35-to-40 times per games.
Can the reserve running backs be efficient enough?
I’ll say this: Running back is the most replaceable position in the NFL. Conner was having a tremendous year, but it’s not impossible to duplicate his production, like it would be at other spots.
“Does Zaven get his 5th year option picked up?” – Michael Ong
KO: Extremely unlikely. His sack on Sunday came on a free rush via a stunt. The pass-rush arsenal is still lacking, and unless he breaks out in the second half of the season, the Cardinals will decline it.
“Would it make sense to make a strategic trade before the deadline for a corner or def. lineman so as not to depend on total youth?” – David
KO: Not this year, no. Keep all of your picks and all of your cap space while taking these lumps.
“Is Trey Mcbride on the outs? Not sure if snap counts back it up or not but he seems to be involved I the game plans less and less as the season wears on. Another Kiem time draft pick?” – Joe Shmo
KO: Yeah, he got out-snapped by Geoff Swaim. I wrote on Monday that it’s time to let these young guys sink or swim, struggles be damned, but the playing time percentage is not a good omen.
“What level do you think Kyler’s football ability will be at after he’s back on the field. Do we ever see him scrambling as much again?” – Juice
KO: Based on the ACL recoveries I’ve seen in the past, the elusiveness that comes from the quick-twitch muscles may be one of the last things to return. So it will probably mean pocket passer Kyler as much as possible for the first month or so upon his return.
But will we ever see him scrambling as much as in the past? I think so. Maybe it’s at the end of this year, and if not, by 2024 he should be back to his normal self.
“You think they move on from DJ (Humphries) after this season? There’s an out on his contract, his age, and the draft position should be high enough where they can target a tackle in Fashanu or Alt.” – MonsterDemo
KO: It’s a $13.8 million dead cap hit if they move on, so that’s a pretty steep price. As it stands I think Humphries and Paris Johnson remain the tackles in 2024 and then a move is made after that.
But sure, it’s fluid. If the draft lines up and you land another potential franchise tackle, Humphries isn’t standing in the way. He could net something via trade, so while I think he will stay another season, there is wiggle room.
“New odds to land a first or second overall pick?” – Michael Ong
KO: Odds to land the first overall pick, according to FTN Fantasy:
- Panthers, 28.2%
- Bears, 19.4%
- Giants, 15.6%
- Broncos, 11.0%
- Cardinals, 10.1%
The Texans are down at 1.6% so it’s probably Arizona or bust at this point.
“Did Austin Riley’s HR cost the Dbacks the World Series?” – Levi Boillot
KO: The Braves are scary, no doubt about that. But anything can happen in playoff baseball, as the Diamondbacks have proven thus far.
“Fantasy question. Would you drop Jerry Jeudy or Tank Dell to pick up Diontae Johnson? Or Should I drop Javonte Williams to get Emari Demercado?” – Jodi Lee
KO: Maybe Jeudy for Johnson but you have just as much knowledge as me on that decision. As for Demarcado, I might take a shot. Williams has struggled this year and now Jaleel McLaughlin is coming on strong for the Broncos.
Will Demarcado be a workhorse like Conner was? It will probably be more of a timeshare, but if he gets double-digit carries and goal-line work, it could be a fruitful stretch of games until Conner returns.
“I picked up DeMarcado last week, am I in mid season form?” – Adam T. Cooper
KO: I have no idea why you picked up Demarcado last week, but yes, great call. Let me know if you make any sports bets this week because I will copy them.
“Do you think the Cards will go shopping from other teams that might go fire sale a la Broncos, (maybe) Vikings, etc?” – Doug Mielke
KO: The Cardinals will be sellers at the deadline, not buyers. That is, if there is anything on the roster others want.
“Would you trade one of the firsts for PS2 and then extend him or use it for a cheaper, unproven rookie CB come draft time?” – Jamie
KO: If I could get Patrick Surtain II for a first-rounder I would do it, but the cost is going to be higher than that.
The more pragmatic move for nearly all of these trade questions is to hold onto the draft picks and try to bring in a bunch of rookies that can become key contributors over the next few years.
“If the Dbacks end up falling short of winning it all do you think aquirung KYLER MURRAY in the offseason can get them over the hump??? – AZReaper
KO: AZReaper,,, yes! We have been arguing about Kyler Murray’s standing as the Cardinals’ quarterback for months, when the answer was in front of our own eyes: All-Star center fielder Kyler Murray and MVP right fielder Corbin Carroll will lead the D-Backs to the 2024 World Series title. You heard it here first.
