Coaches share worrisome takes about Cardinals' Kyler Murray ahead of critical season

Since last winter, numerous in-the-know individuals have suggested that the Arizona Cardinals could part ways with quarterback Kyler Murray next offseason if he doesn't at least notch the first career playoff win of his career in January 2026. 

On Monday, The Athletic's Mike Sando shared that a panel of six NFL general managers, six assistant general managers, six former general managers, five other executives, eight head coaches and 19 other coaches ranked Murray as the league's 15th-best player at the position and as a "Tier 3" signal-caller. According to Sando, a Tier 3 quarterback "is a legitimate starter but needs a heavier running game and/or defensive component to win." 

Multiple coaches spoke with Sando about why they don't view Murray as a top-10 quarterback this summer.

"I've played him too much, and I still think he's a [Tier] 3," one unnamed defensive coach said about Murray. "I don't think he wins it for you in the two-minute drill. If you want to be in the top half of this league, you have to win in the two-minute drill and control it. He does not do that."

Somewhat interestingly, Murray recently acknowledged he just now feels he's where he was before he went down with a knee injury in December 2022 that left him needing ACL surgery and some meniscus repair. While he returned to the Arizona lineup in November 2023, he tweaked his knee in Week 1 of the 2024 season. Per the StatMuse website, Murray ended the campaign with a career-low 4.59 rushing attempts per game.

"Creates the mismatch with his legs, not his arm," another defensive coach said about Murray. "He's Tier 3 with a good-looking baseball slide after his fourth scramble in a two-minute drill."

According to Pro Football Reference, Murray ended last season ranked ninth in the NFL with a 66.5 adjusted QBR. Per StatMuse, he was eighth with a combined 4,423 passing and rushing yards, and he was tied for 12th with 26 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. 

Such stats suggest Murray could take a team where it wants to go, but one anonymous general manager isn't sold. 

"I still don't trust him," that GM said about Murray. "He has [Tier] 2 talent but is still a 3 to me. Is he committed to it? He always tends to tail off as the season goes on."

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Cardinals at +115 odds to make the playoffs this season. While Arizona signed Murray to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $230.5M with $160M guaranteed in the summer of 2022, the club could escape the remainder of that deal next year if it wants to pursue an advertised upgrade at the sport's most important position. 

Murray may look to use such chatter as bulletin-board material ahead of the Cardinals' Week 1 game at the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 7.