Terry Bradshaw Says Sean Payton Passed on Cardinals Because of Kyler Murray

PHOENIX -- Super Bowl LVII has brought some notable names to the Valley this week to talk and discuss everything in the world of pro football.

The Arizona Cardinals - playing host to the game and still in search of their new head coach - have continuously found themselves swinging and missing at potential prospects.

Frank Reich. Dan Quinn. Brian Flores. DeMeco Ryans.

That list even extends to Sean Payton, who interviewed with Arizona before ultimately choosing the Denver Broncos as his next stop.

There was some luggage that came with acquiring Payton: The Saints were asking for a lofty price tag to let him out of his contract, and Payton himself was commanding nearly $20 million in annual salary for his talents.

Yet the Cardinals ultimately didn't have to worry about that, thanks to some of their own luggage (in some opinions) thanks to Kyler Murray.

Newsday's Tom Rock says he sat down with Fox Sports NFL analyst Terry Bradshaw - who worked with Payton on set previously - and learned that Payton didn't take the Cardinals job thanks to Kyler Murray.

Sat with Terry Bradshaw for a bit. Interesting comments on Sean Payton, his co-worker for the past year at FOX. Said Payton didn't want to go to Arizona bc of the QB. Also said he didn't want to go to Denver bc of the QB! Ultimately he took that job in spite of Russ.🤔
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) February 7, 2023

Although this specific video doesn't catch the quote, you can still hear some comments about Payton:

Terry Bradshaw on Sean Payton’s new gig. 😳 pic.twitter.com/N7TJrNbYgZ
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 7, 2023

This mirrors an earlier report from Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline, who offered the following on why the Cardinals have yet to find a head coach:

"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," said 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 is in the beginning stages of his rehab from tearing his ACL and meniscus in Week 14, which is believed to make him unavailable for the beginning of the season with no known timetable for his return. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Murray would take his time in his recovery to ensure he's 100%.

Between Murray's injury, contract and reported demeanor, there's some in the NFL world who obviously aren't fans.

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