A year ago, uncertainty abounded about whether the Arizona Cardinals remained committed to quarterback Kyler Murray. There was a new general manager, a new head coach and he was rehabbing a torn ACL after a terrible season.
A year later, there is no question. The Cardinals are committed to Kyler Murray. Everything general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have said about Murray has been glowingly positive.
That isn’t just lip service.
As SI.com’s Albert Breer wrote this week, the Cardinals love Murray.
Why?
He notes a few things.
- His continued presence in the team facility all offseason during his rehab, including after the offseason program, when it is commonplace for veterans to leave. (It is important to note that presence has continued this offseason as well. He continues to be in the building daily and has had conversations with the team’s new player additions in free agency.)
- During his rehab, he showed a deep commitment to the mental side of his preparation. He dove into the new playbook in a new scheme with new coaches and was engaged all offseason.
- After his return to the field, he looked like himself.
- Coaches saw him turn a corner with the offense and he was seeing things the way the coaches want him to see them.
- He proved he “was coachable, he was gutsy and he was clutch.”
Murray’s play to end the season showed a quarterback playing at a high level. After years of questions about his practice habits, his study habits, his relationship with coaches and his leadership with teammates, it all came together. No one is publicly or quietly questioning it now.
No longer are we hearing anonymous sources from in the building criticizing Murray.
If there were real problems previously, they are gone. Whether it was Murray, the front office or the coaching, things now are looking good. Murray is ascending again and the Cardinals are too.
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