Detente: Kyler Murray refused to finish Wildcard loss vs. LA Rams

Divas ultimately create problems

Perhaps the rush to name Kyler Murray among the NFL elite has backfired?  The Cardinals have surrounded the guy with NFL elite talent, and they continue to fade away in the second half of the season. Yet people point to Murray’s individual stats as though that is a true difference-maker. He’s never thrown for 4000 yards in a season. He’s never thrown for fewer than 10 interceptions in a season. And his career record in the NFL is 22-23-1.

And then there is that ultimate threat. If the Arizona Cardinals do not acquiesce to their quarterback, he will simply kick it on over to start a new career in Major League Baseball. Hey, I know that the NFL and players no longer share that bond of loyalty. It’s a temporal relationship that lasts as long as both sides benefit. But starting over with an MLB career? Ugh.

But part of that mutual benefits includes shared common goals. That only occurs if the player trusts the organization to acquire the talent necessary to win. and the coaching staff to forge individual players into a team that acts and plays like one. The problem? A diva player does not toe the line. They do what they want, how they want, and when they want. That makes everything very challenging when 10 guys on the offense comply with the game plan, but the quarterback objects and runs things his way.

Of course, he may get better. He will mature and gain wisdom over the years. But unless he shows more upside passing, why would the team add elite wide receivers to the roster going forward? If he is more dangerous running the ball, then buy offensive linemen, not elite receivers. Unless he leans more heavily into the passing game, he will risk injury. Injuries shorten careers for quarterbacks.

Ultimately, Murray will get his money. The Cardinals have no other choice. Meanwhile, my estimation of Murray’s upside has dropped considerably. In the end, they have no one to blame but themselves.