Kyler Murray ... What If? 



By Walter Mitchell with special thanks to Kyle Ledbetter

Back at the start of free agency in March of 2022 when Kyler and his agent were putting extreme pressure on Michael Bidwill to pay him Top 5 QB money after his first three seasons in the NFL, none of which he had finished strong --- Kyle Ledbetter and I taped a Red Rain Podcast called "Kyler Murray...What If..."

We decided to save this podcast for a later time because we were concerned that we might lose a chunk of our followers due to the deafening hue and cry from the fans to see Michael Bidwill pay Kyler top dollar because in their opinions, "there was no other choice"...even though they had Kyler's contract under control for two more seasons with him getting $40M guaranteed.

Here were the numerous reasons why I felt compelled to predict that if Bidwill were to cave in, it was apt to set back the Cardinals' franchise for another 5 years and possibly more. 

The first 6:30 of the podcast is about the recent signings on the eve of the 2022 free agency (Aaron Rodgers' and Russell Wilson's lucrative deals).

Fast forward to 6:30 and listen to the portion of the audio where we focus in on Kyler Murray's contract demands (we were not on YouTube videos yet):

07c61f9839e838f9842ee9618dbb07b2.mp3 - Google Drive

Please chime in with your reactions.



Comments

  1. Since 61December 3, 2025 at 7:39 AM

    When the Cards drafted the #1 pick Heisman Trophy , best player (undefeated) in Texas high school history, AP College Football Player of the Year, First-team All-American, the only athlete to be drafted #1 by the NFL and MLB, I thought this accomplished successful kid won't be successful in the NFL because he was drafted by the NFLs least successful franchise.
    And here we are.
    Certainly, Kyler must shoulder most of the blame but failure seems to engulf so many drafted kids here unless they escape to another team.
    No one could have reasonable high hopes for a QB drafted by this current regime. I don't trust to FO to evaluate them nor the coaching staff to develop them.
    I'll repeat myself-Kyler Murray on any other team has a better chance to win a Super Bowl than Mike Bidwill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mac Speed MelDecember 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM

      Well said Since 61. To blame Kyler for this franchise continually blowing its draft, its player development, and its cap space, i.e. J. Williams, J.Jones, B.Nicoles. Man they could have kept Allen and Murphy. Very fair assessment. We deserve better.

      Delete
  2. JethroBodineDecember 3, 2025 at 10:08 AM

    I felt the same way about Kyler's contract. He's a short dual threat QB which already puts him behind the eight-ball (probability of success wise) and he hadn't done squat to justify that contract IMO. I was hoping for the best but knew it was the beginning of the end of this team until this organization wakes up and see's he's just not going to amount to playoff success in the NFL. Thankfully, Brissett showed this team and fans that the KM experiment done, well done. The big question now is, do they clean house coaching wise?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since 61December 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM

      I’d like to hear a credible argument on why this staff deserves to be retained

      Delete
    2. JethroBodineDecember 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM

      Agreed. The way they regressed and all the penalties. They're the 8th most penalized team and 2nd most offensive holding penalties. If MB wont clean house at least hire a new OC and OL coach.

      Delete
    3. Flash87December 3, 2025 at 5:49 PM

      No arguments here. The only thing they seem to exceed at is new lows for the franchise.

      Delete

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