Kyler Murray has always had the kind of talent you can’t teach: Blazing speed, a rocket arm, and the instincts that make him one of the most electrifying players in football.
But as the Arizona Cardinals head into the 2025 season, that talent is under a microscope.
Kyler Murray Enters Crucial 2025 Season With Arizona Cardinals Future in Doubt
The Cardinals didn’t meet expectations after finishing 8-9 last season, and Murray is now getting serious attention. Statistically, he wasn’t bad: 21 touchdowns, 3,851 passing yards, and a solid QBR of 66.5. But numbers aren’t everything in the NFL. It’s all about winning, and once again, the Cardinals came up short.
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff recently joined “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and didn’t hold back about Murray’s future.
“He’s one of the best athletes we’ve ever seen. Is he a good quarterback? I think this will be his last season with the Cardinals,” Middlekauff said. “This GM and head coach didn’t draft him. He hasn’t won a playoff game. I don’t think they’re going to make the playoffs this year.”
It’s a tough statement, but it reflects the growing frustration with Murray’s inconsistency.
“He’s not a bad player,” Middlekauff added. “If anything, he’s a frustrating player because the talent is there… But can he slice and dice the good teams when he has to in the third or fourth quarter down the stretch of a season? I don’t see it happening.”
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That’s the key: Murray flashes brilliance but struggles to string it together when it matters most. Whether it’s late-game decisions or lifting the team past mediocrity, the questions are valid.
To be fair, Murray wasn’t solely responsible for last season’s failures. The team dropped several close games because the defense couldn’t protect leads and gave up too many big plays. But that excuse is wearing thin, especially with the defense getting reworked this offseason. No. 1 is now firmly in the spotlight.
Arizona’s front office has made it clear that this is a team in transition. Veteran contracts have been moved, younger talent has been added, and the team is positioning itself to win in the near future. The pressure is now on Murray to show he can be a part of that plan.
He’s healthy. He’s paid. The offensive line is improved, and the Cardinals added more weapons on offense to help him succeed. There’s no reason for this not to be his best season yet.
This isn’t just a season, it’s a test. Can Kyler Murray prove he’s the face of the franchise? Or is 2025 the end of the road in Arizona?