Cardinals' Kyler Murray praised for 'mental reps' amid recovery

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray continues his recovery from knee surgery but is nevertheless spending time with teammates on the practice field. 

"It shows that he cares, cares about us getting better as a team, learning the offense and the mental reps he gets as well, even though he can’t physically be a part of it," wide receiver Zach Pascal said about Murray shadowing offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and fellow quarterbacks such as Colt McCoy during organized team activities, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "But he can get those mental reps, and that trickles down throughout the whole team."

Murray underwent ACL surgery that included some meniscus repair in early January following the injury he suffered on Dec. 12. It's believed he could miss at least half of the 2023 season, and new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon theoretically could keep the two-time Pro Bowl selection out until next year if Arizona is as bad this fall as some are predicting. 

In his "Football Morning in America" column published on May 8, NBC Sports' Peter King ranked the Cardinals dead last in his power rankings and suggested they are essentially rebuilding with 2025 in mind. 

Meanwhile, Murray's dedication to serving as Arizona's QB1 has repeatedly been questioned this offseason. Back in January, an unnamed Cardinals player told NFL insider Michael Silver that it was like the franchise "created a monster" when it gave Murray a five-year extension reportedly worth $230.5M with $160M guaranteed last summer. In March, it was reported that some individuals in the NFL believed at that time Gannon "inherited the most difficult job of the five head coaches hired this offseason" largely because of Murray. 

"Kyler, obviously he’s going through the rehab process," Gannon said on Monday. "He wants to be out there [participating]; I know that. He’s fully engaged with everything we’re doing. I saw him making the reads out there behind the offense. When the guys see your trigger guy out there, it matters, so he’s done everything and more that we’ve wanted him to do. Excited for him where he’s at." 

King indicated that the Cardinals could select Murray's eventual replacement next spring if they "earn" the No. 1 pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. Quarterback Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans is already being linked with Arizona in early mock drafts. 

"Murray not only has a lengthy injury history; he's had questions surface about his dedication to film study and preparation," Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football wrote for a mock draft posted last week. "He's also a blight on the salary cap. I'd be shocked if Arizona didn't replace him (if the club has the No. 1 pick next year)."