If there was any question about Kyler Murray’s future with the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Jonathan Gannon provided an emphatic answer Tuesday: Murray is his quarterback.
Making his weekly appearance on “The Burns & Gambo Show,” Gannon said he has “no doubt” that Kyler Murray will be his starting quarterback in 2024.
“There is no doubt,” Gannon said. “(Murray) is our franchise quarterback.”
Murray is coming off his best game since returning from surgery to repair a torn ACL. The fifth-year QB, who threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns, rallied the Cardinals to a stunning 35-31 Week 17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Arizona winning again with Kyler Murray back
The Cardinals certainly believed Kyler Murray was their franchise quarterback before the 2022 season, signing him to a 5-year, $230.5 million contract extension.
But the Cardinals struggled, winning only four of their first 12 games before Murray tore his ACL in a Week 14 loss to New England. He missed the remainder of Arizona’s 4-13 season, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury lost his job.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2018, Murray returned in Week 9 this season, and the Cardinals, who were 1-8 at the time, have won three of seven games with him at quarterback.
Still working his way back, Murray has performed just below his career averages statistically. The two-time Pro Bowl performer has completed 64.7 percent of his passes, has a QB rating of 86.8, has thrown nine TD passes and five interceptions, and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry with three rushing touchdowns.
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Sticking with Kyler Murray vs. drafting another QB
There’s been speculation that the Cardinals could move on from Murray or draft another one in April.
Going into their Week 18 game against Seattle, Arizona would currently have the No. 4 overall pick in a quarterback-rich draft that includes Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy at the top of most prospect lists.
But Gannon, hired after serving as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, has liked what he’s seen from Murray and still believes in him as a quarterback who could lead them back to the playoffs next season.