The year’s NFL combine has a much different narrative for the Cardinals at quarterback than what was expected a year ago.
INDIANAPOLIS – It’s somehow fitting and perhaps contradictory that this year’s NFL combine is sponsored by NOBULL.
After all, so much of what is said and written about the draft process and, for that matter, the league, in general, is TOTAL BULL.
Consider that last year at this time and throughout the offseason, the consistent narrative was that the Cardinals would likely earn the first pick in the 2024 draft so they could select USC quarterback Caleb Williams and move on from the then-injured and rehabbing Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals’ brain trust never wavered on Murray, who embraced the fresh approach of new head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort, while responding with a relentless rehab and production in the final eight games of the 2023 season that has entrenched him as the guy for at least this season and likely beyond.
Meanwhile, the top of this year’s draft will be highlighted by a group of quarterbacks that are pushed too high because they are the best of the class, when it’s likely some will never reach the heights of expectations.
That includes Williams, who brings with him an entitled demeanor and family baggage, while putting several teams in a precarious position because he refused to be medically tested in Indianapolis.
When Ossenfort was asked this week how much he likes not searching for a franchise quarterback, he said, “Yeah, I think it’s a good position to be in. The way Kyler came back at the end of the year, he gave us all a lot of confidence (because of) the way the offense hit their stride both running the football, throwing the football, and just getting Kyler’s health back to a point where he could use his legs, use his arm, do the things we’re accustomed to seeing.
“I think as always we’re going to evaluate every position that comes in the draft, but knowing Kyler is where he’s at and not only where he’s at but getting better and seeing him work and progress the way he has, I think it’s an exciting spot to be in.”
Noting that Murray has been in the facility “every day” since the end of the season, Gannon is enthused that he will be healthy this offseason.
“I know he’s excited to go through OTAs, training camp, preseason,” Gannon said. “I think you saw late in the year kind of where we evolved to, and we’ll pick up where we left off and continue to expand for him what he’s comfortable with. The game will go through (No.) 1.”
As for Murray’s next step, Gannon said simply, “Just reps, time on task with him. I think he can do it all, but I think just his comfort level of operating at a really high level, which he showed obviously during the year that he can do. I don’t think you’ve seen his best ball, either. I’m very confident in that because he’s a guy that attacks getting better every day.
“It was a new system for him and I thought he handled it extremely well and I think the sky is the limit for the guy.”
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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