The Cardinals are sending mixed signals about Kyler Murray.
Early Sunday afternoon, ESPN’s Chris Mortenson reported that Murray is viewed as “self-centered” and “immature.” The report seemingly gave legitimacy to mounting rumors, fueled by Murray’s social media activity, of the star quarterback being unhappy in Arizona.
Soon afterward, the Cardinals shared the following statement, via Pro Football Talk:
“Nothing has changed regarding our opinion and high regard for Kyler Murray. We as a team and Kyler individually have improved each year he’s been in the league. We are excited to continue that improvement in 2022 and are excited that Kyler Murray is the quarterback leading us.”
Roughly an hour later, Mike Garafalo reported that, among other things, the Cardinals were disappointed in Murray’s “body language” at the end of Arizona’s wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
“The playoff game (at SoFi Stadium), a minute left, the game had been decided,” Garafolo said during NFL Network’s Super Bowl LVI pregame coverage. “Backup Colt McCoy encouraged Murray to finish the game with his teammates. A banged-up Murray said, ‘No, that’s it, I’m done.’
“So, I know a lot of Cardinals folks were not happy with that one.”
If nothing else, this story clearly is worth monitoring in the days and weeks ahead. Murray is one of the game’s best quarterbacks, and many teams would become overnight contenders by bringing him into the fold.
Murray, 24, was the first pick taken in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has one year left on his rookie deal with a team option for the 2023 campaign.
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