Former NFL executive sounds alarms about Cardinals' Kyler Murray

A report from Feb. 8 revealed that the Arizona Cardinals are "likely to move on from Kyler Murray" at some point after the new league year opens on March 11. 

Stories have linked Murray with quarterback-needy teams such as the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings. During Wednesday's edition of the ESPN "Get Up" program, former NFL player, executive and current analyst Louis Riddick sounded alarms for clubs that may consider taking a flier on Murray before the 2026 draft gets underway.

Is there "no evidence" Kyler Murray can be a franchise quarterback?

"No one questions Kyler's ability," Riddick explained. "No one. He can throw the ball a mile. He's fast as hell. He is dangerous outside the pocket. It's always the other stuff. It's always the commitment. It's always the leadership. It's always can he...raise the level of everyone else? There's no evidence of that."

In January 2023, a story quoted an unnamed player who was with the Cardinals and said that "it was like they created a monster" when Arizona signed Murray to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $230.5M with $160M guaranteed the previous summer. This past January, retired quarterback and NFL analyst Shaun King shared that Murray "had to break some bad habits to have sustainability in this league." 

More recently, one of Murray's former teammates said that the Jets and other teams should not want the 28-year-old "as your quarterback." 

In December 2022, Murray suffered a knee injury that left him needing ACL surgery and meniscus repair. This past season, he made just five starts before he was shut down due to a foot issue.

Riddick is among those who have concerns about Murray that aren't related to the signal-caller's health. 

Why other teams may not take a flier on Kyler Murray

"If you don't have any familiarity with him, if you haven't coached him before, if I'm a new coach, I'm sitting there going, 'Okay, so you're telling me...I can see all the things you're talking about athletically, but I don't know any of this other stuff.' Come on now," Riddick added about Murray. 

History suggests at least one team will think it can "fix" Murray, the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year who has two Pro Bowl nods on his resume. That said, it sounds like Murray will have plenty to prove before he takes another in-game snap.