NFL Rumors: Arizona Cardinals Committed to Quarterback Kyler Murray for Next Season

The Arizona Cardinals still believe quarterback Kyler Murray is their future. Appearing on the Burns & Gambo show, head coach Jonathan Gannon reiterated his team's commitment to the 2019 first-overall pick.

"Is there any doubt in your mind who your QB is going to be for next season?" - @Gambo987

"No there is not." - Cards HC Jonathan Gannon pic.twitter.com/vUdEPd2fn2
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) January 2, 2024

Earlier in the season, Murray's status with the team appeared very much in doubt. The Cardinals were reportedly "evaluating" Murray as he recovered from his 2022 ACL tear. Evidently, they've liked what they've seen.

Murray hasn't exactly set the world on fire since his return, but he has played well enough to keep the Cardinals from the very top of the draft, which means they're out of position to land a top prospect. Murray has only won three of his seven starts, but he's coming off arguably his best game this season; he threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a dramatic 35-31 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17.

Measuring only 5'10" but possessing elite speed and elusiveness, Murray is an exciting and endearing novelty at the quarterback position, but he simply hasn't proven he can help a team play consistently winning football. The Cardinals are comfortably below .500 since drafting him first overall in 2019, and they've yet to finish better than 11th in scoring in any season he's led them as a passer.

Most troublingly, Murray's past two seasons have been his worst. Since 2022, Murray has gone 6-12 as a starter while passing for only 216.9 yards per game at an unacceptable 5.37 net yards per passing attempt. He has remained a dynamic runner over that period (34.9 rushing yards per game, 5.9 rushing yards per attempt), but the two-time Pro Bowler simply hasn't produced at the rate an offense needs in the modern NFL.

The Cardinals signed Murray to a five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022 that runs through 2028, but that may overstate just how long a leash he has with the team. The Cardinals can save nearly $12.5 million by cutting him outright in 2025. If Murray doesn't lift the franchise back to the playoffs next year, it's very possible they'll begin looking elsewhere, either via free agency or the 2025 Draft.