The 2018 Arizona Cardinals entered the 2019 offseason with a 3-13 record, earning them the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Although then-head coach Kliff Kingsbury said at the time that Josh Rosen, the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, “is our guy”, Arizona traded Rosen to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a second-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick after selecting Kyler Murray first overall in the 2019 draft.
Fast forward to today, and the 2023 Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a similar situation. They are 4-12 entering the final week of the regular season, which currently places them fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. There are three highly touted college passers being hailed as first-round picks In NFL Draft World: USC Quarterback Caleb Williams (2022 Heisman Trophy Winner), North Carolina Quarterback Drake Maye and LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels, Trophy Winner Heisman 2023.
However, first-year Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon made a strong and detailed statement about Murray and his long-term status in Arizona Tuesday on “The Burns and Gambo Show” on Arizona Radio Sports. Gannon, laughing when asked, said “No, there aren’t any [doubt]”.
When the natural follow-up question “So Kyler is your man?” was asked, Gannon’s response about Murray, who signed a five-year extension worth $230.5 million before the 2022 season and then tore his ACL that year, was still clearer.
“There’s no doubt,” Gannon said, still laughing. “I like this guy [Murray]. Number 1 is our franchise quarterback. Having been here with him for a year now, I’m more convinced than when I arrived here. Going through the process and our connection, developing a relationship with Him. It was a little strange because you know you have your franchise quarterback, but he can’t play. [missed first nine games of 2023 while rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered in 2022]”.
Murray’s work ethic throughout his rehabilitation process for his knee has impressed his head coach. He threw nine touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games following his injury, while completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,537 yards and an 86.8 passer rating. Murray hasn’t been afraid to maintain the running element that his athleticism adds to his game, rushing for 211 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries this season, or 5.4 yards per carry.
“Given the work he’s done and the things we’ve talked about this offseason about what he wanted to improve on and what I wanted to see him improve on, what he and I think he does well, we wanted making sure it stays strong. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. I just feel like what he’s done and the work he’s put in to get to this point of playing this type of football, victories or defeats, play the football he has coming off one knee. [injury] and being in a new system. The competitor that he is, I’m very happy with him.”
Gannon certainly appreciated his quarterback’s performance in the Cardinals’ 35-31 road win over the Philadelphia Eagles, where Gannon spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator. With the team leading 21-6 at halftime, Murray played near-perfect football in the second half, throwing for 133 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-14 passing to rally the Cardinals to victory. He finished the game with 232 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 25-of-21 passing. Although the team will likely have another top-five pick in April, wins like the one the Cardinals won Sunday against the champions in title of the NFC are a big help in establishing the culture Gannon desires during the first year in the big chair.