Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is recovering from a cruciate ligament tear, but rehab hasn’t been his only focus this season.
Murray has also embraced a new offense following the firing of head coach Kliff Kingsbury. New head coach Jonathan Gannon hired Drew Petzing as his offensive coordinator and Murray spent the season off working in classes to understand the offense before returning to the field.
Murray’s work ethic was questioned last year when the Cardinals added a film study clause to his new contract – which was later dropped from the pact – and he said in an interview for the team’s internal video series that he is taking the new direction with open arms. Murray added that if Petzing’s initial approach doesn’t bear fruit, it’s up to everyone involved to make adjustments.
“I have to respect the person or understand the quirks or rhymes and reasons for what we’re doing,” Murray said of the team’s website’s Darren Urban. “I will listen. I’ll be trainable and do my best, but if that’s the case [expletive] doesn’t work, at some point we all have to look in the mirror. As far as I’ve progressed from my rookie year to now, I’ve learned to be one with my feelings and understand how to talk to people. Some people are capable of going the hard way, and I’m that way naturally, or do I have to show them a little love, and that’s part of being quarterback. . . . And what can I do better, how can I get better, how can I make the people around me better? It’s a team sport. We must all be locked up.”
Murray’s career faltered on several fronts last year and he’s confident getting through these difficult times will ultimately be a good thing for him and the team. The sooner the signs of this become apparent, the better for Murray, Petzing and everyone else who has invested in the organization’s future.