Cardinals' Kyler Murray starts training camp as 'the future of the franchise,' coach Kliff Kingsbury says

Alexis Mansanarez

Cardinals' Kyler Murray starts training camp as 'the future of the franchise,' coach Kliff Kingsbury says image

The Cardinals knew they had their starter in Kyler Murray.

Kliff Kingsbury, who is getting ready for his first season at the helm of an NFL team, wanted to make sure of it. 

“Anytime there is uncertainty at that position, it can be tough on the psyche of a lot of players and a lot of coaches and a lot of (general managers) and owners and everybody else,” Kingsbury said, via the team's website. “To have a guy we believe in to be the future of the franchise, it’s exciting times.” 

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Murray, who was selected as the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, is also entering his first training camp, as well. He has seemingly fit right in as he completed other preseason workouts, earning praise from veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and second-year wideout Christian Kirk.

“(Kyler) taking every single snap from the first day he got there, I think everyone understood what the deal was,” Fitzgerald said.

The signal-caller will lead an offense that struggled last season under Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen.

“Last year, you have to worry about ‘50-50ing’ it up, make sure you’re getting reps with Josh, make sure you’re getting reps with Sam,” Kirk said. “Even the coaches would say, ‘We know Sam is starting but make sure you get reps with Josh, as well, because you never know when he might be thrown in.’ So you have to divvy it up.

“Now, you can really hone in on (Kyler’s) comfort zones and what he likes, what he doesn’t like. It’s that constant communication with everyone in the room. Last year, you might have, ‘Sam likes this, but Josh likes this.’ A little bit of butting up of ideas. It’s been better knowing he’s the guy.”

The Cardinals finished with their worst record in nearly two decades, a lowly 3-13 record, and are hoping to turn things around with Murray as the star.

He admitted he is relieved there are no questions about whether he'll get the starting nod, but regardless, he still has to earn his spot.

“I think it takes away from the distraction, people asking questions and all that stuff,” Murray said. “It’s my job to earn that right every day.”

 

Alexis Mansanarez