Two days ago, the Arizona Cardinals were saying that starting QB Kyler Murray would start on Monday Night Football on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. On Saturday, they pulled back and announced that backup
QB Jacoby Brissett would be the starter instead.
Why?
RELATED: CARDINALS TO START BRISSETT ON MONDAY NIGHT
Did they believe that Murray was physically able to start? Did they believe his 9-0-0 lifetime win streak in AT&T Stadium was the best bet to winning? Did Murray have a relapse? Was there a misdiagnosis?
Or, is he healthy, and by playing him, he might become injured again? Because perhaps the new plan is that the franchise wants to trade him?
The NFL trade deadline is this upcoming Tuesday, November 4, at 4:00 pm (Eastern). Perhaps the front office has a contingency plan in place just in case the Cardinals drop the game against Dallas and fall further behind in the standings, currently sitting at 2-5-0.
Is the plan now, to trade Murray?
Several teams in the league require an experienced quarterback. The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings come to mind right off. Other teams like the Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers have also been mentioned as potential candidates for a quarterback change. The Cleveland Browns have two rookies in their QB room, plus a practice squad guy.
If Brissett can beat the Cowboys and their 32nd-ranked defensive backfield, then maybe Arizona will set the plan in motion.
Perhaps that is why they are not starting Murray on Monday Night. If he gets injured again, he is then damaged goods. That means any possible trade would become null and void.
On Saturday, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon told Josh Weinfuss with ESPN Arizona:
“Obviously, that position’s a little bit different because you got to have a plan ready. It’s just he’s not quite there yet.”
Gannon then mentioned that Brissett would start, but Murray could have a role. He said:
“I’m not trying to be coy, but there’s a lot of different scenarios that can happen in two days that you would make the decision what’s best for the player and best for the team [for] that be the case. So, you probably don’t know what I mean, but I think you do know what I mean.”
A decision for what’s best for the player and best for the team? Murray could have a role? We thought he was still injured. Right?
Brissett has started two games, and although the end result was a pair of losses, the offense was suddenly moving up and down the field all game long. Brissett averaged 299.5 passing yards a game and has thrown four touchdowns against a single pick.
Gannon acknowledged Brissett’s performance:
“He’s got really good command, understands what we’re trying to get done with each play, and he’s a vet that he doesn’t really get fooled a lot.”
The Cardinals’ offense is looking better in terms of cohesion and production with Brissett at the helm. Every receiver has better numbers, along with TE Trey McBride.
For weeks, speculation about a potential trade for Murray has been spreading on various media sites as well as social media. However, none of the chatter has been derived from the team itself. There haven’t been any leaks or word coming from the Arizona front office that they have any inclination to move Murray before the trade deadline.
And while it may seem odd that the team would announce that Murray is ready and would start in the Cowboys matchup, and then flip that decision, it is not out of the question that Murray just is not completely healthy and ready to get back onto the turf.
After all, Murray is the unquestioned starter on this roster. Gannon keeps stating this. And right now, Gannon told ESPN that the IR list is not an option at this point, and hopefully, this is just a one-week delay and not something that would involve being inactive long term.
The Cardinals have Murray in-house until 2028. That mega contract he signed puts a damper on anyone wanting to bring him in as their new starter. But because of the huge contract, it makes cutting ties with Murray is almost impossible. Any team would struggle with the price tag and be damned with his salary and return in a trade.
The Cardinals could always offer to assume a larger percentage of his deal, which would make the financial aspirations better, and then ask for what in return? A couple of first-round picks? A first and a second? A pair of third-rounders?
He is still just 28 years old, so he is athletically still in his prime. And when healthy, Murray is one of the most versatile QBs in the NFL. Thus far, Murray has completed 68% of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions.
There are those who point to the fact that Murray has struggled since his new contract was signed, but the issues have been due to injury more than anything else.
And the trade partner would require a team to believe in Murray based on his performance and would take on a portion of his current contract. Plus, they would have to be willing to ante up whatever draft picks Arizona’s front office would be asking for.
That’s a pretty steep price.
There are no signs indicating that the Cardinals are even considering trading Murray.
On the surface. But he just might be physically ready to play, and the team does not want him to get hurt again for alternate reasons.
