What’s Next for Arizona?
Is Kyler Murray the answer is the question, and the Arizona Cardinals have had an up-and-down season so far. Typically having a bad season and following it up with 2 1st round picks would be a good position to be in, unless you have to decide if Kyler Murray is the answer.
The Cardinals opened the season with 2 straight losses in what were promising outings. The Cardinals lost close games to the Washington Commanders on the road, and then at home against the New York Giants. However, Arizona was able to cash in its first victory against the Dallas Cowboys in what was a very impressive performance by the Cardinals. Since then, they have looked like the team we expected coming into the season losing 6 straight before coming back home to play the Atlanta Falcons.
Joshua Dobbs Era
The Cleveland Browns traded Joshua Dobbs to the Arizona Cardinals late in the Pre-Season, this move provided Dobbs the opportunity to become a starter. This move came after the Cardinals decided to move away from veteran backup Quarterback Colt McCoy only a week out from the Season opener. This move shocked the Red Sea, as many fans expressed their thoughts on social media, most shocked more than anything. The Aerospace engineer was in the process of becoming a pilot before he got news that he had been traded to Arizona, giving him an opportunity to Pilot an offense.
Performance Under Dobbs
Joshua Dobbs performed well in his time as the signal caller for the Arizona Cardinals, given the fact he had no time to practice with the team prior to the start of the season. Despite the total letdown in New York after being up 20 points at halftime, Joshua played well ending with 228 yards and 1 touchdown. The Dobbs-led Cardinals were able to protect the nest against their old rivals the Dallas Cowboys. This is something the previous regime failed to do over the past few seasons.
Kyler’s Return
Fast Forward as we are heading into week 13 of the season after the Cardinals Dropped 6 straight. The Cardinals Traded Dobbs to Minnesota ahead of Kyler Murray’s return in week 10 against the Falcons. Kyler looked great against Atlanta at home running 1 in the end zone and throwing for over 200 yards. However, in the two games following his week 10 return, Kyler has only found the end zone through the air 2 times and has been picked off once as well. The Cardinals have dropped 2 straight since week 10, and the offense has failed to score more than 2 touchdowns in either outing. In Kyler’s first 3 games back, he has combined for 719 yards 2 TDs, and 2 Int. One thing to note, Murray has scored a rushing touchdown in every game since his return.
Is Kyler The Answer?
What’s next is the common question you hear when looking at this Cardinals team. We have a new head coach and General Manager who seem to be not only interested in winning but wanting it as bad as the fans do. This is something that fans did not feel during the Steve Keim era, as they had voiced many times before. When asking around town what the Cardinals should do at quarterback you get mixed reactions. It doesn’t stop with just fans, all the way across the board from the media right down to the fans.
Kyler Murray is undeniably a top talent in the NFL. Murray can do wonderful things on the field with his throwing ability alongside what his feet bring to the table. However, the question remains, can the Arizona Cardinals win with Kyler Murray? This is even more of a question now than ever with the talent at the Quarterback position entering the draft this year, and maybe more than others Caleb Williams.
Caleb or Murray
Heading into this season, Arizona was projected to own the 1st and 2nd picks in the draft. The Cardinals owned their own 1st round pick as well as the Houston Texans 1st. The Texans have been overachieving all season currently sitting at 6-5 and tied for 2nd in their division. The Cardinals have been dealing with injuries and underperforming talent all year long. This has posed the question do the Arizona Cardinals move on from Kyler Murray and go with Caleb Williams? Entering this season scouts were foaming at the mouth over an opportunity at Caleb Williams. Many people are calling Caleb a generational talent that you can’t pass up. While some are not sold on the fact that he is the best quarterback in the draft.
Honestly, are the Cardinals ready to throw in the towel on the former MLB draft pick? There are a couple of things to consider with Caleb now that the season is over. Caleb’s performance down the stretch and some of his comments may have affected the way scouts perceive him moving forward. This is something many won’t get answers to until draft day, or at least leading into the NFL COMBINE.
END THE SEASON
The way Murray ends this season will play a big role in how Monti Ossenfort moves forward. The fans have been split on this topic since, and this won’t be solved until we see what Kyler can still give us. The Cardinals beat Dallas in week 3, they have San Francisco in week 15 and Seattle in week 18. If Kyler Murray can have strong outings and possibly pick up a win, that may be enough to answer the question “Is Kyler Murray the answer” and earn him a stay.
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