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Kyler Murray isn’t the problem with Cardinals offense in 2025

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 7:44 PM ET

GLENDALE – With the Arizona Cardinals offensive shortcomings to start the 2025 season, quarterback Kyler Murray is the easy choice for fans to blame when things go wrong. The seven-year Cardinals QB is the longest-tenured player on the team and has been through the high and lows of being a team captain.

As the highest-paid player on the roster, Murray understands the responsibility he holds on the team winning or losing. With him being bottom-five in passing yards and having the 19th scoring offense, the 28-year-old knows he needs to be better. However, despite the low counting stats, the two-time Pro Bowler is still amongst the top rank QBs in the league in efficiency.

Murray in upper ranks of NFL QBs:

2025 quarterback PFF grading and efficiency (EPA/play), min 50 dropbacks, MNF pending

– Lamar Jackson and Daniel Jones in the top-tier for efficiency
– Sam Darnold the highest PFF offensive grade pic.twitter.com/cTAsub3hbw

— Kevin Cole (@KevinCole___) September 22, 2025

Murray is 12th in QB PFF overall grades and expected points added (EPA) in the NFL. The graph shows that he is playing in the same realm as Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love. The difference between the Cardinals QB and those other players is the scheme. Murray is in a more run-first and short yardage passing scheme under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

Petzing runs the most 13 personnel in the NFL, meaning there is a lack of wide receivers for more complex or long, developing routes. A reason to run 13 personnel is to aid the run game with extra blockers, but also because of a lack of depth at wide receiver.

Through the first three weeks, only WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is the only receiver to have over 30 receiving yards. The lack of a serious WR2 has hurt the offense and Murray’s production. The injury to RB James Conner could open up Petzing’s playbook to give Murray and Harrison for more explosive plays and down the field routes.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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