Many NFL teams such as the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos have filled their head coaching in recent days. The Arizona Cardinals‘ head coaching search has not been nearly moving as quickly, which could be due to concerns about starting quarterback Kyler Murray.
According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, some with knowledge of the situation at the Senior Bowl site of Mobile, Alabama believe that potential coaching candidates for the Cardinals have some concerns due to Murray’s recent contract extension last offseason.
“Why is the Arizona Cardinals head coach job taking so long to fill? If you are to believe what people in Mobile are saying, it’s due to Kyler Murray — and it’s not because the quarterback has a large say in the matter,” wrote Pauline.
“Rather, many of the desired candidates don’t want to take the job knowing they’ll be tied to the hip of Murray for the next four seasons. Murray signed a five-year, $230 million contract in late August, and anyone who takes the Cardinals job will have no options in the foreseeable future at quarterback.”
Murray has certainly shown some impressive moments in his four-year NFL career. However, the Cardinals have only one winning season with Murray under center.
He could also miss some of the 2023 NFL season after tearing his ACL back in December.
It’s certainly possible that he returns from his injury and plays well. We’ve also seen mobile quarterbacks such as Robert Griffin III come back from major knee injuries and not be the same dynamic player as before.
There have also been some character concerns about Murray in recent months, with multiple former teammates speaking out negatively about the two-time Pro Bowl selection.
Whoever becomes the new head coach in Arizona will ultimately have to believe in Murray for the foreseeable future. At this point, it seems like there may be fewer and fewer coaches that believe Murray is capable of potentially leading a team to a Super Bowl.
