Kyler Murray has been in the NFL long enough to have some experience.
The 27-year-old was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.
He was named to the Pro Bowl twice.
He led the Cards to an 11-win season. He experienced disappointments during the playoffs.
He saw movement at the head coaching position. He tore ligaments in his knee and missed nearly a year.
Arizona is 2-4, but Murray believes the club is on the right track heading into Monday night’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“He’s among the best players in the world,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. He’s always in control and he understands what’s going on. That’s a big plus for me, how well he grasps the mental part of the game.”
During the off-season, Murray organized field trips with teammates to Oklahoma and Los Angeles. In July, he published on X a photo of a trip to California with 12 teammates. There were running back James Conner, rookie receiver Marvin Harrison and tight end Trey McBride, among others.
Murray quickly became friends with Harrison, who has four touchdown receptions.
Harrison will play Monday after suffering a concussion last week against the Green Bay Packers.
In many ways, Murray is the same as he was in his 2019 debut: a good passer despite his size, who can use his speed and agility for big plays on the ground. Two weeks ago, he had a 50-yard run for a touchdown against the 49ers.
It is his attitude that has evolved. The quarterback was accustomed to success in high school and in the NCAA.
He was then drafted by the Cardinals, who have made the playoffs only six times since moving to Arizona in 1988.
They haven’t won a playoff game in almost nine years.
“You don’t want to learn to lose, but you have to learn to deal with it and continue to play at a high level,” said Murray, drafted first overall in 2019 after winning the Heisman, with Oklahoma. I guess you can see maturity there.”
