One of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s teammates didn’t mince words when he was asked what the franchise quarterback needs to do to be great.
Much has been said about Murray’s demeanor, maturity, dedication, practice habits and how he is as a teammate. Before 2022, he was on the precipice of greatness.
After a difficult 2022 for the entire team, what does Murray need to be great?
Offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum was very blunt about it.
“Grow up. Be a man and grow up,” he said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
“It’s not complicated,” he continued. “You’ve got to be a leader of men, period.”
Beachum, one of the most respected leaders on the team, didn’t say Murray wasn’t a leader and didn’t say he was a bad teammate.
“He’s maturing,” he said. “It’s not a completed process.”
The talent in unmistakable.
“He has all the tools. He can throw it on one leg. He can throw it a mile. He can run faster than anybody else on the field,” he said.
He also was clear Murray is a leader.
“I didn’t say he lacked the leadership,” he explained. “I just think he needs to grow up a little bit, and I think that if he has the willingness and the ability to grow up, he’s going to be just fine.”
Basically, he says Kyler isn’t done. He needs to continue to improve in this facet of the position.
“You’re the face of the franchise. You’ve got to lead more,” he said. “You’ve got to lead in every single capacity of leadership and that’s what they look for in a franchise quarterback.”
That is on the field. It is off the field. It is in the locker room. It is in team appearances. It is in the community.
Murray has been more present in Tempe at team headquarters this offseason than in previous years. He is rehabbing here.
With millions of dollars tied up in bonuses for participating in the offseason program, we can expect he will be part of offseason workouts, unlike last year.
Is any of this a surprise?
Not really. We have heard what people have said about Murray. Some of it is accurately portrayed. Some of it is blown out of proportion.
But it is eye-opening to hear it said so bluntly.
Will Murray “be a man and grow up?” we have seen a little more out of him each year. There is no reason to think that won’t continue to happen.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
