Six years into NFL career, Arizona’s Kyler Murray relishes his health and opportunity to lead

AP Sports Writer

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Second-year Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Wilson says training camp is going a lot more smoothly than his rookie year. He’s familiar with the playbook and he’s got an established relationship with coach Jonathan Gannon.

But the biggest reason he’s more comfortable is the presence of quarterback Kyler Murray.

“If everything’s not perfect,” Wilson said, “Kyler can make it right.”

Murray, now entering his sixth NFL season, is back for what he and the Cardinals hope is a full season of highlights and wins. The two-time Pro Bowl selection is about 1 1/2 years removed from tearing the ACL in his right knee against the Patriots in 2022.

The injury forced him to miss roughly 11 months before returning halfway through last season. The Cardinals were 1-8 without Murray, but improved to 3-5 with him, providing hope that they could be more competitive this fall.

“Last year was just such a whirlwind for me as far as being hurt, then rehabbing the whole year, coming back in the middle of the season,” Murray said. “I think this year, starting off fresh, it’s a big difference.”

Healthy this offseason, Murray organized a few a team-building trips, including one to Oklahoma and another to Los Angeles. Murray posted a photo of the California trip a few weeks ago, which featured 12 teammates, including running back James Conner, rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride.

“It’s an underrated thing, the camaraderie off the field,” Murray said. “Loving each other, being together, spending time together, getting to know each other. The teams I’ve been on that were the best, we were tight off the field. It allows you to go hard for each other.”

Wilson said Murray paid for the trip in the ritzy Bel-Air neighborhood that included chefs and a car service.

“Boys could just be boys, hang out, work out,” Wilson said. “When you get a bunch of highly competitive men in one place, like we competed from the time we got up to the time we went to sleep. Ping-pong, cards, who is running faster, who is catching the most balls, late-night lifts.”

The trip was another example of how Murray is hungry for NFL success after having a 28-36 record as a starter during his first four seasons. The Cards’ best season during his tenure was 2021, when they finished 11-6 in the regular season but struggled down the stretch and lost in the wild-card round.

Since then, it’s been back-to-back 4-13 seasons. The Cardinals have missed the playoffs in seven of the past eight years.

“I’m not used to losing,” Murray said. “I know it sounds cliche, been five years going on six, but haven’t won yet. The sense of urgency is definitely there. You never know when the game is going to be taken away from you — you never know how long you’ll be playing.

“My goal is to be the best.”

The Cardinals were aggressive in upgrading the offense during the offseason, using the No. 4 overall pick in April’s draft to add Harrison, who was widely considered the best non-quarterback prospect in the draft. The Ohio State star caught 28 touchdown passes over his past two seasons and is expected to be one of Murray’s top options right away.

“He’s obviously a great player and loves the game,” Murray said. “The time we’ve got to spend together off the field this offseason since he was drafted has been very positive. I think that’s going to translate to the field.”

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