'That's where a lot of money is made' – Cardinals QB Kyler Murray knows what he has to do in 2025 to step his game up
The Arizona Cardinals were pretty good offensively in 2024, but they know they have the talent to be among the NFL's best. That starts with seventh-year quarterback Kyler Murray, who started all 17 games last season after missing nine in 2023 with a torn ACL that he suffered late in the 2022 season. He had […]
The Arizona Cardinals were pretty good offensively in 2024, but they know they have the talent to be among the NFL's best.
That starts with seventh-year quarterback Kyler Murray, who started all 17 games last season after missing nine in 2023 with a torn ACL that he suffered late in the 2022 season. He had a solid year overall in 2024, throwing for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while also adding 572 rushing yards and five TDs.
However, it wasn't a career year for Murray, as he would like to get back to his Pro Bowl form from 2020 and 2021. While appearing on PHNX Sports on Thursday, Murray said making more plays with his legs would go a long way in not only elevating his game, but the Cardinals' offense as a whole.
"I do feel like I have to run more next year," Murray said. "I'm open to running more next year, just because it's such a weapon, you know, it's such a weapon. Like when I hand the ball off obviously I hand the ball off to James (Conner), I hand off to Trey (Benson), we're a very good rushing team, which is a great thing. But when Lamar (Jackson) hands the ball off everybody is like 'Ahh', like you can relax, Josh (Allen) hands the ball off, 'Ahh', you know what I mean? So I think for us, part of the emphasis going into next season is conceptually on time, I feel I'm one of the best in the league."
Murray went on to say that running more isn't necessarily about racking up rushing yards, but making throws down the field while scrambling after a play breaks down.
"That's where a lot of money is made," Murray said. "The scramble drill and making people hurt, making people pay when the play breaks down. I think that's something that we didn't do very well last year, and I think we're very capable, especially with my ability to make things happen. So that's an area where we need to get better. I'm not really worried about three step (drop), five step on time. We're doing that in our sleep."
What separates the elite QBs of the NFL from the rest of the pack is their ability to make something out of nothing. Murray has the mobility and arm strength to make those plays, and now just has to get a knack for it. Now well removed from his injury, Murray can get back on track in his development of becoming a top tier QB and making the Cardinals a legitimate contender in the NFC.
