2023 NFL quarterback analysis: Arizona Cardinals

Current starter: Kyler Murray | Current backups: Colt McCoy, David Blough, Trace McSorley

State of the position: The lack of production at QB is one of the many reasons new GM Monti Ossenfort will make the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in April. In 2022, Arizona (4-13) stunk.

Incumbent Murray played in 11 games before heading to the IR with a left knee injury. His stats dipped in nearly every major category from 2021, including completion percentage (69.2% to 66.4) and average yards per pass (7.9 yards to 6.1). 

But Murray’s problems on the field paled in comparison to questions about his attitude.

It started when it was revealed he had a clause in his new contract ensuring he was studying opponents, not playing video games. The clause was later removed, per ESPN.com. Then there were outbursts between Murray and former coach Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired shortly after the season ended. 

Arizona's failings led to regime change. Ossenfort may have alluded to his quarterback during an introductory news conference. 

“We’re going to look for the right type of players,” he said, per the Associated Press' David Brandt. “Ego will not be tolerated in this organization. We are going to look for focused, driven (players) and people that are willing to put the team first at every step of the way.” 

While Murray was out, the Cardinals used career backups McCoy, Blough and McSorley. The result was as expected: lots of losing. 

Key stat: Murray had a 51.6 QBR in 11 games this season — the lowest in his career. 

2023 QB forecast: Neither the new coach nor GM drafted Murray, opening up the slim possibility Arizona might use the No. 3 pick on a QB. But that's highly unlikely given how much the team has invested in Murray, who signed a five-year extension last July.

The new coaching staff's aim should be to return Murray to 2021 form, when he led the Cardinals to the playoffs. 

McCoy, a dependable backup, probably will return.