Cardinals HC Gannon: 'I Love' Kyler Murray; QB 'Leaps and Bounds Ahead' of Last Year

As Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon enters his second year working with star quarterback Kyler Murray, he's been impressed with what he's seen from the 27-year-old this summer.

Murray was forced to miss the first half of the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL. The Cardinals went 1-8 without him and 3-5 in games he started. Gannon told Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio that things are trending in a positive direction now that Murray is fully healthy.

"I think from a mental and physical standpoint, right now where he's at, to even when he got back last year or even where he finished last year, I think he's leaps and bounds ahead," Gannon said (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk). "What I know about the guy, my relationship with him when I got his job: His will to win is extremely high. And if you detail out and lay out for him what is needed from him to improve himself, the offense and the team, he is 1,000 percent willing to do that."

Gannon went on to add that he has developed a fondness for Murray and how he's embraced having a leadership role on the team as he enters his sixth year in the NFL.

"So, I love the guy, because he's done everything that I've asked of him and more," Gannon said. "He's been a phenomenal leader on and off the field – not just with the offense, but with the entire team."

Murray, Gannon and the Cardinals will look to improve on their 4-13 finish to last season when they open the 2024 campaign against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8.