Cardinals owner offers encouraging update on Kyler Murray

There's finally some promising news regarding the status of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray this winter.

According to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' website, team owner Michael Bidwill said during the latest edition of the "Dave Pasch Podcast" that he believes Murray is "ahead of schedule" coming off the ACL surgery that included some meniscus repair he needed in early January. 

"I think (his return) is going to be earlier than this midseason, so hopefully it's toward the beginning of the season, but I don't want to put any specific dates," Bidwill explained about his QB1. "There could be setbacks, the progress could slow. But he's a young man, it looks like he is a fast healer, things are going well. Let's hope that keeps going the way it is."

Murray suffered his season-ending knee injury playing against the New England Patriots on Dec. 12. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t Jeremy Bergman) reported on Jan. 29 that the 25-year-old "is going to take his time and make sure this thing is 100% right" and that fans should "not be surprised if we don't see (Murray) to start the season or maybe even by the midway point."

Murray allegedly wasn't the most popular figure within the Arizona locker room after he and the club agreed to a five-year contract extension last summer reportedly worth $230.5M with $160M guaranteed. 

While it had been reported that some coaching candidates didn't want their futures linked with Murray and his deal, new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has since insisted Arizona has "an elite" player at the position and that he accepted the job largely because of Murray's presence. 

Bidwill seemed to hit out at anyone questioning Murray's dedication to his recovery when the owner noted that the two-time Pro Bowl selection is "in here every day." 

Interestingly, Bidwill also revealed backup quarterback Colt McCoy is dealing with an unspecified injury that will "limit him in the offseason." It's unclear if Arizona will bring David Blough and/or Trace McSorley, both pending free agents, back or if the club will look to the open market for a possible upgrade who could start in Murray's place come September.