A redemption arc for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray could be in the works.
The former No. 1 overall pick was much-maligned in 2022 after signing a massive five-year, $230.5 million contract extension the preceding offseason. The criticism was largely due to a shaky first half of 2022, which followed back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns.
Not only that, but questions were growing about Murray’s commitment.
The 26-year-old then tore his ACL 11 games into the 2022 campaign, ending a season he almost certainly hopes to forget.
Trade buzz then surrounded Murray heading into 2023, although the Cardinals never seriously considered moving the University of Oklahoma product.
Murray returned to play eight games last season and showed flashes of his old self, throwing for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions while also rushing for 244 yards and three scores.
Not bad for someone coming off of a major injury.
Now, there is genuine excitement around Murray and Arizona going into 2024, and Cardinals tight end Trey McBride seems excited to get started with his signal-caller.
Cardinals star Trey McBride raves about Kyler Murray’s leadership
During a recent appearance on The Adam Schefter Podcast, McBride spoke very highly of Murray and dispelled any questions about the quarterback’s leadership abilities.
“He’s just been a great leader. It brings excitement to me, all the things he’s doing to make this team better,” McBride said. “Everything’s kind of going in the right direction. … The sky’s the limit for us, for sure.”
Schefter even said that the narrative surrounding Murray has been quite different than McBride’s description, to which McBride said people have the wrong idea about Murray.
“Yeah for sure. I think he gets a bad rap sometimes,” McBride said. “… He really is very genuine, cares about his teammates, does the little things for us, taking us to dinner, taking us to go routes, doing all sorts of things that the media doesn’t ever see.”
McBride developed into one of Murray’s favorite targets in 2023, hauling in 81 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers noticeable jumped upon Murray’s return, with his best game of the year coming in Week 14 when he logged 10 catches for 102 yards.
We’ll see if the third-year tight end can continue to build a strong rapport with Kyler Murray in 2024 and if it results in more wins for the Cardinals, who went just 4-13 last season.
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