Following a disappointing 4-13 season for the Arizona Cardinals, which led to the dismissal of head coach Kliff Kingsbury and the departure of general manager Steve Keim, quarterback Kyler Murray has faced scrutiny. Murray, who played only 11 games in 2022 due to injury, recently commented on his approach for the upcoming season, stating, "I’m going to be coachable, and I’m going to do it to the best of my ability, but if the s--t ain’t working, at some point we all have to look in the mirror." This statement drew criticism from Keim, who expressed his disapproval during an appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd."
Keim took issue with Murray's phrasing, particularly the use of the word "but," suggesting it implied a shift towards blaming others. He emphasized that as the quarterback and highest-paid player, Murray should assume responsibility for the team's struggles. "I certainly didn’t want to hear that nor do fans want to hear a guy who’s making $46.1 million a year blame anybody but himself," Keim stated. He acknowledged that while he wasn't accusing Murray of being someone who habitually blames others, the expectation is for a player with such a lucrative contract to shoulder the burden.
This isn't the first time Murray's relationship with the Cardinals has been a subject of discussion. Last year, he removed all Cardinals-related content from his social media, leading to speculation about his happiness with the team. The Cardinals subsequently awarded him a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension, which initially included an "independent study" clause that sparked controversy and further discussion about Murray's work ethic. The clause was eventually removed.
Throughout the 2022 season, rumors circulated about a strained relationship between Murray and then-coach Kingsbury. With new general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon now at the helm, Murray has expressed optimism about the future. However, Keim believes Murray faces significant pressure to perform in 2023 upon his return from injury. "This is a big year... I would have actually had Kyler in my top five for guys under pressure," Keim remarked, highlighting the importance of Murray proving himself after the injury and amidst speculation about the team's future.
Murray’s career record currently stands at 25-31-1 over 57 games.
