The past four seasons weren't kind to Kyler Murray. From 2022-25, Murray missed 27 games due to injury with the Arizona Cardinals. He couldn't consistently recreate the magic that made him Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, before his Pro Bowl campaigns in the following two seasons.
Jonathan Gannon took over as the Cardinals' head coach in 2023 after Kliff Kingsbury was fired. Although he was a defensive-minded coach, Gannon maintained a healthy relationship with Murray throughout his tenure.
Unfortunately, Gannon was fired after the 2025 season, and Arizona released Murray, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in March. Gannon was hired as the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator, giving him a chance to face his former quarterback to begin
the 2026 season.
Although the two didn't win much in three seasons with the Cardinals (15-36), Gannon told reporters this week he still respects his former quarterback.
"[Kyler is] a really good player. He's in a really good offense with some elite players," Gannon, who is in his first year as Packers defensive coordinator, said this week. "Obviously, I've got nothing but love for him. He's competitive, he's smart, he can make all the throws, and he'll beat you with his legs, so it's a big-time challenge."
On Sunday, Murray and Gannon will face off in their first regular-season games in new environments. They may respect each other, but they will be division rivals over the next 18 weeks.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Kyler Murray's former HC ahead of Week 1: 'Nothing but love'
