Kyler Murray has opted for optimism following the Cardinals’ stinker of a 2022 season.
Arizona went 3-8 to start the season, following a campaign in which Murray led them to an 11-6 mark and a playoff berth.
Things further spiraled after Murray, the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, tore his ACL in a Week 12 loss to the Chargers, setting up a 4-13 finish.
“It happened for a reason. The things we were doing weren’t sustainable for success,” Murray told reporters. “It was necessary, and in turn good will come out of what happened.”
Murray wasn’t immune from any blame, as the 25-year-old logged just two games with over 280 passing yards, tossing 2,368 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions over 11 starts.
Rumors of a rift with Kliff Kingsbury intensified, culminating in coach’s termination at season’s end.
He expressed “frustration” at the result, which was magnified after he signed a five-year, $230.5 million deal in July 2022.
Murray is turning the page, focused on getting healthy and leading his squad back to a winning record.
“I feel you get your little grace period right after it happens, dwell on it, soak in it, let the feelings take over,” Murray said of dealing with injury.
“After that, (expletive), we gotta go. Life doesn’t stop. The job doesn’t stop. And I’m not going to stop.”
Murray is expected to return to the field in 2023, but the exact timeline has not been made clear by Arizona.
Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort were brought in as the new head coach and general manager, respectively, of the club this offseason, causing some uncertainty around Murray’s role once he’s back to full health.
“It’s got to be a positive. There really is no option for it to be a negative,” Murray said.
The Cardinals open the 2023 NFL season on Sept. 10 against the Commanders.
