Kyler Murray Can 'Continue to Improve' Off-Field Work, Former Cardinals GM Keim Says

Arizona Cardinals star quarterback Kyler Murray has faced some questions about his work ethic off the field during his career, and the person who drafted him feels like that remains an area where he needs to grow.

Steve Keim, who stepped down as Cardinals general manager this offseason, said on the Green Light podcast (h/t Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic) that he believes Murray still has a bit to improve upon if he wants to be considered an all-time great.

"I think it's like anything—guys have to continue to learn what it's going to take to be great. Does he know what Peyton Manning and Tom Brady knows what it takes to be great? No," Keim said. "Does he work? He does work. I think it's just that side of the game—the film study, the attention to detail part—that he can continue to improve upon and I think he will."

Keim went on to add that he's confident that Murray is already on the right track "because Kyler's a proud guy, man. He doesn't want to lose, and he doesn't want to let people down. I think his best ball's ahead of him."

Still, Keim's opinion doesn't come as much surprise, as he was at the helm last year when an "independent study" clause was added into the five-year, $230.5 million contract extension Murray signed in April. The revelation of the addendum, which required him to "complete at least four (4) hours of independent study" was so controversial that the team ended up removing it from his contract.

"After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the addendum from the contract," the Cardinals said in a statement. "It was clearly perceived in ways that were never intended. Our confidence in Kyler Murray is as high as it's ever been and nothing demonstrates our belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in this contract."

Murray suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 that cut his 2022 season short. When he was on the field, he didn't display the same brilliance fans had grown accustomed to seeing from him. In his 11 appearances, he threw for 2,368 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 418 rushing yards and three scores. The Cardinals went 3-8 in the games he started.

While the 25-year-old's status for the start of the 2023 season is not yet clear, Keim feels he has the tools to bounce back from last year's lackluster campaign as long as he continues to address his deficiencies.

"Yeah, I mean when you draft a guy No. 1 and you put all your eggs in that basket and the first year he's Offensive Rookie of the Year and the second year he's a Pro Bowler and the third year he's a Pro Bowler, you've got to think he's heading in the right direction," Keim said. "I just thought he kept getting better and better and better. There's just some times of inconsistency with him. Obviously, the (5-foot-10) height hurts him at times, seeing over the line and processing and seeing the field. But at the same time, he's just a tremendous talent."