Former Teammate Shuts Down Popular Kyler Murray Concerns
Kyler Murray’s time with the Arizona Cardinals is over. The former first overall pick and franchise quarterback was released this offseason and he has since found his way to the Twin Cities — followed by concerns about his work ethic.
The Cardinals once put a study clause into his contract, which has made big waves. Although they erased the clause under public pressure, it has remained a stain on Murray’s reputation. His former teammate Chase Edmonds addressed those concerns, shutting them down in an interview.
Kyle Odegard, a Cardinals reporter, chatted with Edmonds, quoting him as saying, “Look, I have never once questioned Kyler Murray’s work ethic. I know the work he puts in day in and day out to be prepared at the highest level. You know Kyler. You know his dad’s (high expectations). When it comes to the clause, I wasn’t there, so I don’t know what happened. I had been gone for a year.”
The running back spent three seasons in the huddle with the new Vikings quarterback. Murray’s critics have highlighted concerns about size, injuries, scheme fit and the study clause. Those matters are valid, but he’s on a one-year, $1.3 million deal, which should ease any worries.
“When Kyler was younger, I do think he could have been helped, put in better positions, to really understand the grind it may take to play the quarterback position,” Edmonds added. “I do. But I don’t think that’s all on him, bro. To me, that’s from the top of the organization on down. When you draft a franchise player like that, you need to figure out how to mold him. Put people around him that are truly going to push him and help him grow. But in terms of work ethic? I’ve never questioned that.”
Perhaps one could now quote Kevin O’Connell’s famous quote. The coach once said, “I believe organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.”
Murray’s first head coach in the NFL was Kliff Kingsbury, who was handpicked to work with him. Kingsbury was let go after the 2022 season and Jonathan Gannon was hired. Drew Petzing took over as the offensive coordinator.
The passer did find some success under Kingsbury, but the duo never managed to achieve the necessary consistency to take hot starts into the second halves of seasons.
Edmonds is buying all the Murray shares he can: “For the Minnesota fans, I would just say that they are going to get the best version of Kyler Murray, one the NFL has not seen. When Kyler Murray first entered the NFL, he never experienced adversity. When you finally experience that adversity this late in your career? This version of Kyler, he’s going to be more motivated than he’s ever been in his entire life.”
Murray has two Pro Bowls under his belt. Injuries limited his output over the last four campaigns, with an ACL costing him the end of the 2022 season and the first half of 2023. After a fully available 2024, he missed all but five games in 2025 with a foot injury, followed by a presumed benching for Jacoby Brissett.
Aside from the perceived high-level coaching in Minnesota, Murray will toss the rock to a bunch of excellent receivers. Justin Jefferson is every quarterback’s best friend.
Edmonds commented, “Kevin O’Connell is going to show Kyler football through a different lens he has not been shown before,” Edmonds said. “I have that much admiration for how K.O.C. runs his offense. I think it’s going to be a perfect match in Minnesota.”
“It was a s—show at times last year with the quarterback inconsistency, but then you look up and they won nine football games. I think they have the best overall coaching staff in the NFL with K.O.C. and Brian Flores. There is no better coaching staff. They are going to be as prepared as anybody week in and week out in the NFL.”
Indeed, quarterback play was a big problem for the Vikings, who still managed to win nine games behind Brian Flores’ defense. The club could be in the mix in January if Murray can provide the necessary upgrade under center. J.J. McCarthy will try to defend his starting job this offseason, but Murray is viewed as the favorite given both players’ track records.
“I think they can win the NFC North, and I’m going to be real. I think Kyler Murray is going to win Comeback Player of the Year. I think he gets back to the Pro Bowl. I think he really reminds people of just how talented he is,” Edmonds concluded.
In seven seasons and 87 games, Murray has thrown for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions. On the ground, he has added another 3,193 yards and 32 scores.
He undoubtedly has the talent and has found an environment that has benefitted veteran signal-callers in the past. Whether he can truly put things together with the Vikings remains to be seen, but Edmonds comments are a reason for optimism.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.