Kyler Murray Rumors on Concerns Over 'Leadership Skills' Amid Buzz on Cardinals QB's Future

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray could be on the move this offseason, but opposing teams reportedly have some reservations about him in key areas.

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, multiple league sources "relayed concerns about his leadership skills," and also made mention of the numerous injuries that have impacted his play over the years.

Howe noted that while Murray may be the best option available for teams in search of a veteran starting quarterback, "there's skepticism when it comes to a long-term commitment."

Last month, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on the Cardinals' desire to find a trade partner for Murray this offseason.

If Murray is still on Arizona's roster on March 15, $19.5 million of his 2027 base salary will become guaranteed, so that may be the target date for the Cards to make a decision.

Releasing Murray before June 1 would result in a $54.7 million dead cap hit for the Cardinals, and designating him as a post-June 1 cut would spread that out over two years, so a trade would be the best possible outcome for the Cardinals.

Originally selected first overall by the Cardinals in the 2019 NFL draft, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner out of Oklahoma has spent his entire professional career in Arizona thus far.

Over seven seasons, Murray has started 87 games, going just 38-48-1. He has also completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions, while rushing for 3,193 yards and 32 scores.

Murray was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and a Pro Bowler in each of the next two seasons, but he has missed time due to injury in four of the past five seasons, and he has led the Cardinals to the playoffs only once in his career, resulting in a blowout at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 NFC Wild Card Round.

A torn ACL cut Murray's season short in 2022, and led to him missing about half of the 2023 season as well. He bounced back to start all 17 games in 2024, but a foot injury cost him all but five games last season.

The injuries have made Murray tough to count on, and the leadership concerns are tough to dismiss given that he has posted a winning record only once in seven NFL seasons.

However, Murray is a capable and productive quarterback when healthy, as evidenced by him throwing for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 picks, and rushing for 572 yards and five scores in his last fully healthy season in 2024.

Unquestioned franchise quarterbacks rarely become available in the NFL via trade or free agency. The quarterbacks on the market almost always have their proverbial warts, and Murray is no exception.

Murray is a starting-caliber player in the NFL despite his shortcomings, and quarterback-needy teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings have to at least consider him as an option.