Despite signing a five-year contract extension worth $230.5 million last July, Kyler Murray’s future in Arizona is a hot topic.
Since the Cardinals own both their first-round pick and the Texans’, there is chatter they could pull another quarterback switcheroo and go with Caleb Williams if they end up picking first overall in 2024.
There was also a report from Action Network last week that there was a trade on the table for Murray to be sent to the Falcons on the first day of the draft, which was shot down by myself and multiple other reporters.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 3, 2023
Lost in all the speculation is this: the first few months of collaboration between Murray and the new regime in Arizona has brought a high level of optimism about their long-term future together, according to multiple sources familiar with the dynamic.
It’s no secret that the relationship between Murray, GM Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury was less-than-perfect in 2022, and it was obvious that owner Michael Bidwill needed to clean house when that turbulent season came to an end.
New coach Jonathan Gannon has brought a high level of positivity to Arizona, and there is a refreshing new energy within the building that has players excited for 2023, sources said, even as many prognosticators expect it to be a rebuilding campaign.
Murray and Gannon get along well, and the franchise quarterback has also jelled nicely with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and new quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork.
The coaches have been impressed by Murray’s quick work grasping the offense, while the injured signal-caller is excited to get on the field and put Petzing’s scheme into motion once he recovers from his torn ACL, source said.
Murray is driven to get back quickly, a source said, although the coaching staff continues to reiterate that it wants him to be fully healthy before seeing the field, as the group plans to grow together over the next several seasons.
While production on the field will ultimately be the barometer on which Murray and the new regime is judged, the good vibes are a reversal from the end of last season.
A large contingent of Cardinals coaches and staffers attended Murray’s Heisman Trophy statue unveiling at the University of Oklahoma last month, which really made a positive impression, a source said.
Steve Keim didn't support his QB and he batted 1.000 during drafts right? Oh wait.
Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon supporting their QB1 is something Kyler Murray has desperately needed since he was drafted, but never had. It's called a culture shift. https://t.co/hMvwvFot5a
— Alex Clancy (@ClancysCorner) April 24, 2023
While the outside world speculates about Murray’s future and Gannon’s ability to succeed as a first-time head coach, there is a cohesiveness within the building that was missing by the end of 2022.
Where it ultimately leads is anyone’s guess, but Murray is happy, the coaching staff is excited to work with him, and hopes of a bright future remain vivid as their first season together awaits.
