There is still plenty of room to hop on the Kyler Murray hype train.
Kyler Murray has all the tools to be a special quarterback in the NFL and transform the Arizona Cardinals franchise. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and has given the Cardinals a great deal of hope heading into the 2019 season.
That hope from the fan base has translated to Murray’s teammates, who heaped effusive praise onto the shoulders of their new franchise quarterback.
Per ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss, offensive lineman Justin Pugh said Murray already “lives up” to the hype.
Fellow veteran offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy was similarly impressed, calling Murray “cool, calm, collected” and “smooth”.
Star running back David Johnson and free agent signing Kevin White were also gushing. Johnson noted that Murray is even faster in person, and White didn’t hesitate to call his new quarterback a “special talent”.
The Cardinals failed to surround Josh Rosen with adequate talent at either wide receiver or on the offensive line. But with Larry Fitzgerald returning, Johnson set to get more targets out of the backfield, and a bevy of rookie receivers Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler joining possible breakout star Christian Kirk, Murray could have a strong supporting cast in Kingsbury’s pass-heavy spread offense.
For Murray, the real test will come in September when the games actually count, but it’s important psychologically for the Cardinals to have positive buzz in the offseason after being the NFL’s worst team in 2018.
Murray’s physical tools earn plaudits and his college production speaks for itself, but his football IQ and leadership skills are also turning heads in Arizona. He checks all the boxes as a franchise quarterback, and the intangibles he brings to the table could help the Cardinals play more competitive football in 2019.
It’s time to get excited about what Murray can do as training camp is a little more than a month away.