Kyler Murray adapting as Arizona Cardinals evaluate future
TEMPE (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals haven’t wanted to say it out loud, but it’s clear the franchise is in the midst of a rebuild.
In a way, so is quarterback Kyler Murray.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2019 is navigating the most challenging 18 months of his football career, dealing with a disappointing 2022 season, a devastating knee injury and then a coaching change. On top of that, Cardinals first-year coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing have at least partially changed some of Murray’s core fundamentals — particularly his footwork.
The early returns are promising: Murray and the Cardinals have a 2-2 record since his return from an ACL tear in his right knee and the quarterback has thrown for 864 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, along with running for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
Not bad for a guy still making big adjustments to the way he plays.
“I just think there’s the feel aspect of it all,” Murray said. “Something you can’t really put your finger on, but when you’ve been in a system for so long and the guys have been in it, and we all kind of know what each other are thinking and then you get into a new one — we’ve got to break old habits.”
Messing with Murray’s mechanics is a bit of risk considering the quarterback was already successful without the changes. He was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and a Pro Bowl selection during his second and third seasons. In a way, it’d be like tinkering with a star shooter’s jump shot in the NBA or an accomplished slugger’s swing in MLB.
Petzing’s biggest ask was that Murray start with his left foot forward when receiving the snap instead of his right. That might not sound like much, but it was a big switch from the way he had played — and flourished — for the past decade. He’s also occasionally taking snaps directly under center instead of in the shotgun.
