Why Kyler deserves the top share of blame in Arizona
By Walter Mitchell
With the news that Kyler Murray has signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, there are now scores of Cardinals' fans on social media expressing their conviction that the Cardinals failed Kyler.
Certainly, the way Michael Bidwill handled Kyler's situation was highly embarrassing. careless and regrettable. that cannot be disputed.
But Kyler initiated the entire mess.
We all know why.
Wild Card weekend in Los Angeles.
Super Bowl week of 2022.
The irony is --- yesterday when Kyler was finally free of the Cardinals --- he finally got the wish he had back in 2022, to be able to pick the team of his choice.
Kyler always talked about winning "multiple Super Bowls" in Arizona. The irony is --- with the best chance, roster-wise, to contend a Super Bowl, one that, lo and behold, was coming to Arizona in February of 2023, Kyler scrubbed his socials of all things Cardinals-related and exacerbated a massive rift in the team --- which led to an off-season of dozens of players skipping the team's OTAs. Note: the first time in 3 years teams could have on the field OTAs.
For a player who was talked about wanting to win Super Bowls --- can you name a must win late-season game where Kyler led the Cardinals to a clutch victory?
People will moan and groan to no end about the infamous homework clause --- but, even that, was brought on by Kyler himself when he told a New York Times reporter that he didn't need to watch much game tape because "I can see things before they happen."
Fact is, since the Green Bay botched audible debacle and Kyler's ensuing comment to the New York Times, his record as Arizona's starting QB is:
2021 - 2-4
2022 - 3-8
2023 - 3-5
2024 - 8-9
2025 - 2-3
18-29
The argument that I and a precious few others were trying to make back in 2022 when Kyler was holding out for his bag was that he hadn't as yet finished one season on anything close to a strong note --- and yet here we are after his 7 years in Arizona --- and nothing's changed.
What Kyler has lacked from the get-go was a fundamental respect for the organization, his coaches, his teammates and all fans who dared to even question him.
Kyler will only accept and respect people who give him unconditional love.
In a team sport, a lack of respect is a player's sure-fire recipe for losing.
Even at the end, in his farewell note to the Cardinals, he gave sincere thanks only to his staunch fans and little to nothing for everyone one else including his coaches and teammates --- until someone must have told him what a bad look that was and so he wrote an amended farewell note wherein he suddenly offered a generic thanks to his teammates and coaches.
Kyler was a breathtaking comet one minute and petering-out ember the next.
That's what's so awesome and frustrating about him as a player.
However, Kyler was not a team player in Arizona. Nor was he a leader.
Will he be both in Minnesota? He has already lauded Kevin O'Connell as one of the best offensive minds and QB whisperers in the NFL and as a coach who has regularly checked on and communicated with him since the NFL Combine in 2019.
Now the NFL gets to see how Kyler will perform within an organization he respects.
Of course, at the Cardinals' expense.
Yet, as for the Cardinals, the only way that they are going to be able to turn around the franchise is with players who embrace the challenge of such a task, just as the players on the Houston Texans have after years of bottom of the barrel futility. They way hopefully that Isaac Seumalo, Tyler Allgeier, Kendrick Bourne and Roy Lopez did when they told the media how much they want to help the team become winners. The way Larry Fitzgerald always did, through thick and thin.
Kyler Murray was never cut from that "embrace the challenge" cloth in Arizona. In fact, he outwardly lamented being asked to have to, at times, play like "Superman" --- which ironically, Super Bowl winning QBs virtually have to be at the most clutch times these days.
So, at the end of the last game he played for the Cardinals, in a brutal 22-21 upset loss to the Titans, he said, when asked about the team's 3rd and 8 failure to try to seal the win, "I just run the plays the coaches call."
With Kyler Murray --- it's always someone else's fault.
Just ask his most ardent fans --- they will tell you the exact same thing.
"Kyler has never done anything wrong."
Truth is...
ReplyDeleteNow that Kyler is with the Vikings, he will have no more excuses... All his talent can't save him from his mind.
You're right Walt. Kyler came into this league with a huge ego but here is why I harbor no animosity towards the guy. Kyler is listed at 5-10 but everyone whose been around him says he's closer to 5-9. For a 5-9 guy to accomplish everything Kyler has accomplished is nothing short of amazing. "As a senior in high school Kyler was the Gatorade Football Player of the Year and became the first player to be named Mr. Texas Football twice. His team won three straight state championships and 43 games in a row. He missed one start during this streak and finished his career with a perfect 42–0 record as a starting quarterback."
ReplyDeleteThen in college he continued his success. "With Mayfield heading to the NFL, Oklahoma considered Murray and Austin Kendall to start at quarterback in 2018. Murray was chosen as the starting quarterback. He threw for more than 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns in the 2018 regular season, and rushed for over 1,000 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. In December 2018, Murray won the Heisman Trophy as the best collegiate football player in the country," On top of that, the Oakland Athletics selected Murray with the ninth overall selection of the 2018 MLB draft.
When Kyler Murray entered the NFL, he needed a HC who was respected around the league for his success. He also needed an alpha HC/OC who knew how to deal with a 21-year-old super talent with an ego the size of a lake. Somone who Kyler would respect, listen to and learn but instead, he got a HC right out of college who was described by many having the opposite kind of personality of what I feel Kyler needed.
[According to an ESPN report from Jeremy Fowler and Josh Weinfuss, Kingsbury avoids confrontation with players and chooses to refer to mistakes generally, according to a former player.
"It's a very comfortable work environment, but he won't rip anybody, and if the head coach won't do it, it's hard for the offensive guard to do it," the player said. "I think that's some of what's gone on with the QB." A team source added that Kingsbury's personality doesn't lend to calling players out."]
Kingsbury's personality and coaching style reminded me of a marshmallow parent who acts more like a friend or "BFF" than an authority figure, seeking to avoid conflict, enabling unhealthy habits, and overlooking bad behavior. Should Kyler take some of the blame for this team not getting a playoff win in 7 seasons? Absolutely, but I also think Kyler was drafted by a team with the wrong HC for him to succeed in the NFL. They say that the first decade of life—specifically the first 8 to 10 years—is a critical "formative period" that plays a foundational role in shaping who you are. I believe that where a super talented young 21-year-old QB lands in the NFL is critical to their success. I've always said, that if Patrick Mahomes was drafted by the Cardinals and made to play his rookie season, his career would look a lot differently than it does today. We all know what this team needs, and we all know that's not going to happen.
Jeremy Fowler doesn't know shit about Kliff. Remember the old "pretty boy" offense stigma ESPN tried to pin on Kliff during his first NFL pre-season? That was so BS. Kliff is one of the most competitive coaches on the planet. He stood up to Kyler on numerous occasions. But Kliff ascribes, as so many great coaches do, to the mantra of "praise publicly, criticize privately." Why do you think that to this day Kyler won't thank Kliff or say anything positive about him? The answer is the same thing for anyone who questions Kyler --- he blocks them.
DeleteWaltJeremy Fowler doesn’t know shit about football. When this franchise wasn’t humiliating this sensitive little flower, they were busy coddling him. After Kliff Kingsbury left, he basically had no coaching at all—his “QB coach” had less football experience than Kyler Murray himself.
DeleteMurray has spent his entire pro career with zero expectations, zero accountability, and zero work ethic, while carrying around a 1000% smug, know-it-all attitude. In his mind he’s always the smartest guy in the room—just ask him.
He's a freak athlete with absolutely no self-awareness—case in point that genius photo with his pit bull wearing a Michael Vick jersey.
The idea of team doesn’t even register.
And let’s not rewrite history: he bailed on Texas A&M Aggies football when he couldn’t earn the starting job. Now we’ll see what he “earns” in Minnesota.
Good luck to Kevin O'Connell. He’ll have to rewrite half the playbook to accommodate a QB who still hasn’t learned how to play under center, stand in the pocket, and let the play develop like an actual NFL quarterback.
@Walt & 61 - Kingsbury was a terrible HC. I have always said that Kingsbury should have come into this league as a QB coach, then OC and probably stayed there. Kyler was saddled to a HC his first 5 seasons who aside from his playcalling was awful for Kyler's mental development as an NFL QB.
Delete"1000% smug, know-it-all attitude. In his mind he’s always the smartest guy in the room—just ask him"
At 21 years old, I was an overconfident know it all who thought I was the smartest guy in the room too. I had more testosterone than brains and why that age makes the best soldiers. If I would have accomplished what Kyler did at 21 years of age, I might have been worse than Kyler. From 21 to 28 years old, I matured dramatically and the main reason for that was going into the work force and having bosses who didn't coddle me with cell phone breaks. You can't shoehorn every player into a one size fits all box; every player is an individual with different talents, personalities and pasts. Being an NFL HC extends far beyond "X's and O's," focusing heavily on mental development, and character building to maximize player potential. Kingsbury was terrible at this and why he was canned after only 2 seasons as Washingtons OC.
Drafting a young talented quarterback onto a poor team usually severely stunts their growth, as dysfunctional environments, weak supporting casts, and unstable coaching hinder development and causes bad habits. Yes, lets see how a 28-year-old Kyler who started his career on one of the worst teams in the NFL with a HC who hadn't coached a single game in his life does in Minnesota. It's still apples and oranges compared to a QB who started their career on a non-Cardinals team with a quality coaching staff like Mahomes but I like KOC and think he will be a good HC for Kyler.
I was in no way a huge Kyler fan during his time in Arizona. I acknowledged his success and pointed out his flaws, but I always knew he was a very talented QB on one of the worst teams for his development in the NFL and why I didn't want him on this team. Today's Cardinals look like a total shit show to the rest of the league. No HC candidate with any credentials wants anything to do with this team. When Keim hired BA, this team was 4 years out from almost winning a Super Bowl and still held respect around the league. After Keim resigned for his "medical leave", no HC candidate with any credentials would give this team a second look. Keim fucked the Cardinals good and until this team's reputation is changed, no Cardinal GM has a chance of hiring a qualified experienced proven HC. Yes, Kyler got paid well for starting his career on this shit show of a team but does that really make everything right?
Again, I disagree about Kliff Kingsbury. Second HC in 122-year franchise history to win 11 games in a season. Only BA ahead of him. Only HC to win 8 road games in a season, ever. 9th HC in franchise history to make the playoffs. During his time, his players won an NFL OROY and Pro Bowl seasons from Kyler Murray (2), James Conner, D.J. Humphries, Budda Baker (4), Chandler Jones (2) and Haason Reddick (2). In total, that's an NFL OROY and 12 Pro Bowl accolades. How many accolades have Cardinals players had since? Pro Bowl seasons from Trey McBride (2) and Budda Baker (2).
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteReddick had his 2 with Panthers and Eagles. My mistake on that one.
DeleteJethro I was a big Kyler Murray fan too, and he absolutely lived up to expectations his first couple of seasons under Kliff. But once he stopped working with Kliff, things went downhill. Maybe it wasn’t the perfect fit, but look at what Kyler has become on and off the field since Kliff left Arizona. He’s regressed when he should’ve been proving that Kliff had been holding him back, working relentlessly to fix his deficiencies that only got worse over five seasons.
DeleteYes, he played on a flawed roster—weak defense, patchwork offensive line, nothing elite—but that’s no excuse. Kyler could’ve demanded better coaching, set a higher work standard, pushed for better teammates. Instead, he checked out and let a golden opportunity to help elevate the franchise slip through his fingers.
Doesn't matter-old news. We will have an opportunity to see what he can accomplish with a quality coaching staff and organization. He gets a second chance and we'll see what he makes of it.
@ Walt & 61- I agree, K2 is a talented guy but he has his faults that might have been corrected if he had come into this league as a QB coach then an OC and had a chance to learn from the best. Coming into the NFL as HC of the Cardinals seems to have embedded his flaws.
DeleteSimilar situation with Kyler. Starting his career with the wrong HC who didn't know how to work with an egotistical talent, stunted Kyler's growth as an NFL QB(no pun intended lol) Some NFL HC's are adept at managing high-confidence ego-driven rookie quarterbacks and some are not. K2 wasn't good at it IMO and now we will see if KOC will be better at it.
He will be toxic to JJ. His agent better be calling around to get him out of Mn. I would speed dial Mr. McVay.As far Kyler, why would he show any effort now to turn his career around with $208 million in his bag. He is just sticking it Bidwill for a year before he retires in a year. He is just another Sam Bradford but at least Sam seemed like a better person than this little narcissist.
ReplyDeleteHaHa Sam Bradford, another brilliant AZ Cards QB signing! Man got $20m player 3 games. $6,666,666 per game. Thanks for reminding me Buddy. Utter futility and systemic failure.
DeleteSam Bradford (2008 Heisman winner from OK) career win/loss 34/48-1, career earnings $130 million and injury prone.
DeleteKM (2018 Heisman winner from OK) career win/loss 38/48-1 (to date) career earnings after 2026, $211 million and injury prone.
Here’s a brutally honest ranking of the 15 worst Arizona Cardinals starting QBs of the last 40 years based on wins, passer rating, and general incompetence.
ReplyDelete15 Worst Cardinals QBs (1983–2023)
Ryan Lindley (2012–2013)
Record: 1–6
Passer rating: 63.0
Notes: Famous for getting smoked in playoff expectations, basically a human interception machine.
Josh Rosen (2018)
Record: 3–10
Passer rating: 69.6
Notes: One-and-done, traded after one year, somehow hyped as a “franchise savior.”
Sam Bradford (2018)
Record: 0–3
Passer rating: 66.3
Notes: Paid $20M for three games before benching. $6.6M per start disaster.
Max Hall (2008–2010)
Record: 0–7
Passer rating: 63.9
Notes: Two weeks of hype, then pure nightmare.
John Skelton (2010–2012)
Record: 5–8
Passer rating: 69.2
Notes: “Next big thing” after Leinart—ended up a cautionary tale.
Kevin Kolb (2011)
Record: 2–5
Passer rating: 75.2
Notes: Big contract, lots of injuries, almost zero production.
Derek Anderson (2012)
Record: 2–4
Passer rating: 69.1
Notes: Older journeyman QB who should have stayed retired.
Timm Rosenbach (1991)
Record: 1–8
Passer rating: 58.0
Notes: NFL supplemental draft bust.
Josh McCown (2002, brief)
Record: 0–4
Passer rating: 63.4
Notes: Future journeyman who never got it done in AZ.
Dave Brown (1993–1996)
Record: 13–35
Passer rating: 66.1
Notes: A real 90s QB nightmare with zero team support.
Chris Chandler (1989–1993, partial)
Record: 8–23
Passer rating: 69.9
Notes: Later found some life elsewhere, but a Cardinals disaster.
Kent Graham (1996)
Record: 0–3
Passer rating: 62.5
Notes: Replacement-level QB nightmare.
Jeff Blake (1994–1995)
Record: 6–18
Passer rating: 66.8
Notes: Flashy arm, terrible results.
Gary Hogeboom (1988–1989)
Record: 4–12
Passer rating: 61.5
Notes: Another short-lived disaster in the late 80s QB carousel.
Tom Tupa (1999, brief)
Record: 0–2
Passer rating: 58.3
Notes: Mostly remembered as a punter—should have stayed that way.
Then there's Mat Leinart, Shaun King, Trace McSorley... you get my point?