LA Rams rival Cardinals cave, QB Kyler cashing in

Well, the NFL headlines today are going to swell with the latest news from the LA Rams‘ NFC West Division rival, the Arizona Cardinals. After posturing, finger-pointing, accusations, and reports that described a deteriorating relationship between the team’s executives and coaches with franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, the verdict is in.

The Arizona Cardinals caved, QB Kyler Murray just cashed in. Surprised? I have to admit that I am a bit. With the type of information that was released on both sides, I did not expect that the differences between the two sides were the type of differences that could be smoothed over and forgotten over a new lucrative contract.

The #AZCardinals and two-time Pro Bowl QB Kyler Murray are working to close a monster extension that will make Murray one of the NFL’s highest-paid players, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.

After an offseason of drama, Murray could be locked in as AZ’s QB for years to come.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 21, 2022

Of course, I’m not as intimate with the details as beat reporters, so maybe this all makes sense.

So what do the numbers look like?

Cardinals are giving Kyler Murray a five-year, $230.5 million deal that includes $160 million guaranteed, per source. It gives Murray the second highest paid QB average at $46.1 million per year. https://t.co/tTnUJXGSm3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 21, 2022

Yikes!

For the Arizona Cardinals and the fans, the news has to be a bit reassuring. Clearly, there was never going to be anyone else for this team, and the news that Kyler Murray is getting a five-year deal means that questions over the quarterback position will be shoved to the back burner for the foreseeable future.

But the objective NFL analyst in me does not see this as an end-all to the questions over the quarterback position. In all honesty, the questions are now more complex.

If reports were correct, and the guy has concerns over his maturity and leadership ability, then the Arizona Cardinals have just performed the NFL equivalent of giving a candy bar to a screaming child at the checkout counter. If the reports were not correct, then the team made one of the biggest and most expensive gaffes in NFL history.

Clearly, the Cardinals front office believes that Kyler Murray is ‘The Guy’ who can take the team to the promised land. The team has structured the offense, and even traded for players who they believe can make him feel more comfortable. Will it all pan out?

I don’t intend to throw shade at the Cardinals or at QB Kyler Murray. But his presence in the pocket of the Cardinals’ offense is not the least bit intimidating to me. As someone who is pulling for the LA Rams, I’m thrilled that they have committed to such a long-term relationship with the guy.

Sometimes, you have to be careful what you wish for, you just may get it. The Arizona Cardinals got the deal that they wished for.

‘Nuff said.

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