Behind Enemy Lines: Kyler Murray's Development Has Kliff Kingsbury Encouraged

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury has been pleased so far with how rookie quarterback Kyler Murray has developed into his role as an NFL starter.

The Arizona Cardinals sit at fourth place in the NFC West with a 2-3-1 record, but they enter Sunday’s game against the New York Giants with momentum.

Last week, the Cardinals defeated the Falcons 34-33 after Falcons kicker Matt Bryant’s PAT failed to go through the uprights. 

Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He completed 27-of-37 passes, was not sacked, and did not turn the ball over. 

Known for his mobility in the pocket, the star quarterback also rushed for 32 yards and led a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to earn NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

The week before was not all that different. In the Cardinals 26-23 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Murray ran for a touchdown and led his team on a drive that set up Zane Gonzalez’s 31-yard field goal on the final play. 

It was the Cardinals first win under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who said that he has liked what he’s seen so far from Murray.

“He’s shown he is willing to work and progress,” Kingsbury said of Murray. “He’s adjusted his game over the first month and a half to fit what we do offensively and limit his negative plays. He’s doing all the things that we’ve asked him to do, which has been huge.

“We knew he had the talent to be a special player, and it’s all about work ethic and the price you are willing to pay once you get here,” Kingsbury said. “And he’s starting to show those things.”

Kingsbury, whose Cardinals had the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, said that in addition to Murray, the club did work on Daniel Jones, whom the Giants ultimately selected at No. 6 overall. 

The 40-year-old coach called Jones a “productive” and “smart” player but insisted that Murray was the right choice for the Cardinals organization.

“We really liked him, but Kyler was out guy,” Kingsbury said of Jones. “But it’s not surprising how well (Jones) has played and the success he is having.”

For as much as Kingsbury has been pleased with Murray’s progress, the head coach also acknowledged that the young signal-caller’s development would continue to be an on-going process.

Throughout this process, Kingsbury said he wants Murray to continue to be mobile in the pocket, which is why he always has a green light to run. 

Kingsbury also said that Murray’s ability to use his feet adds a different “dimension” to the offense because he can extend plays on third down or in the red zone.

“I want him to play his game and use his instincts,” Kingsbury said. “I want him to be smart and know when the party is over, know when to find the sideline or get down. He naturally does a nice job of that.”

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