Kyler Murray Calls Plays in Arizona Cardinals Preseason Game
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray did not play in the team’s first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but that did not prevent him from getting involved in the offense. Instead of wearing a helmet, Murray wore a headset as he called plays for two drives.
Murray’s two drives came in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals looked to close out their eventual 36-23 win over the Bengals. Murray was assisted by co-pass-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Cam Turner. Murray did the bulk of the work as he relayed the calls to quarterback Jarrett Guarantano.
In Murray’s two drives the offense was unable to find success, ending in a pair of three-and-outs. He also called the two quarterback kneels to end the game. Despite the poor result, head coach and play-caller Kliff Kingsbury liked what he saw.
“He called a couple of really nice plays,” Kingsbury said. “It just didn’t work out. Had some guys open. He does a good job with it. I’ve been impressed.”
Quote via ESPN
Murray’s inclusion into the play-calling has come as Kingsbury tries to help the 25-year-old understand the difficulty of the job. This play-calling experience comes after Kingsbury had Murray call the offense during training camp.
“This s–t ain’t easy,” Kingsbury said.
“Every now and then, he starts shaking his head when I’m calling in there, I’m like, ‘Alright, big dog,’” Kingsbury told reporters on Thursday. “Anytime we can keep him involved. He was coaching them right up until the last second, like while they were trying to throw, he was saying stuff to them, so probably won’t be doing that again.”
Quotes via New York Post
This offseason has been a handful for the Cardinals and Murray. It all started with Murray signing a monster extension that will pay him $320.5 million over the next five years. Of that, $160 million is guaranteed. Afterward, it was revealed Murray’s extension included a “homework” clause that required him to watch four hours of film a week. Murray felt disrespected by the outcry of controversy that the clause created. Shortly after, the clause was removed from his contract. Now we can add play-calling lessons to the unique group of public issues Murray has faced this offseason.
Murray can put this crazy offseason behind him if the Cardinals improve upon their 2021 season. Last year the Cardinals faltered down the stretch and lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. The task gets more difficult as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games of the season after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
