Where Cardinals' Kyler Murray Falls in Offseason QB Rankings
ARIZONA -- Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray silenced critics and doubters alike in 2023 after successfully returning from ACL surgery and playing well enough to cement his status as the team's franchise quarterback moving forward.
Figures such as head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort have talked at length on Murray's presence on the field and in the locker room - if they can capitalize on Murray's potential, the Cardinals could be a dangerous team.
People often forget the capabilities of the former Heisman winner thanks to the lack of overall team success he's had in Arizona. While Murray's certainly been far from perfect, he's undoubtedly still talented enough to push the Cardinals to wins in the future.
That's a similar train of thought from The 33rd Team, who recently released their early 2024 quarterback rankings and placed Murray just outside of the top ten at No. 11:
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray No. 11 in QB Rankings
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Derrik Klassen: "People seem to have forgotten that Kyler Murray is good at football. I suppose ending the 2022 season in a tumultuous fashion and then missing half of the 2023 season will do that.
"Murray clearly had the goods when he played this season. He shined in a more traditional, well-thought-out offense under OC Drew Petzing. Murray's athleticism, arm talent and accuracy to all three levels popped off the screen every week. Better yet, Murray looked comfortable operating from within the pocket.
"He still isn't the most conventional pocket passer, and he has some limitations in the red zone and over the middle of the field, but the good outweighs the bad."
Murray finished behind names such as Joe Burrow and Jordan Love while placing just ahead of guys such as Geno Smith and Kirk Cousins.
Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Matthew Stafford completed the top five.
Despite the Cardinals finishing 4-13, there's reason for hope moving into 2024.
"We just need a little time on task. That was my whole point to you guys about it’s going to take a little time. I know he kind of poo-pooed on that after he lit it up against Atlanta, but I really think the sky’s the limit," Gannon said at the end of the season.
"I think that he can hit another level. I know our team can. I know the offense can. I hate to say it, but he’s in there working out today. It’s like, ‘Dude, just go home man. Take a break.’ But he doesn’t want to hear that. He’s on a little different process than the other guys coming off his injury, but with that guy playing quarterback for us, I know we can win every game.”
