Why cannot Arizona Cardinals rookie large receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and quarterback Kyler Murray appear to click on?
When the Cardinals drafted Harrison with the No. 4 decide, they hoped he and Murray would kind an elite tandem. Nonetheless, the QB acknowledged that has but to occur.
“Yeah, we have gotta get higher,” Murray stated Tuesday, per PHNX Sports activities’ Bo Brack. “It is not the place he needs it to be, the place I would like it to be, the place the crew wants it to be. Once more, I have never misplaced any confidence. I am excited for these subsequent two weeks.”
In 15 video games, Harrison has 51 receptions for 726 yards and 7 landing catches. These aren’t horrendous numbers, however different rookie wideouts have outproduced the previous Ohio State Buckeye.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. has 73 receptions for 1,088 yards and 9 TD catches in 15 video games. Chargers WR Ladd McConkey has 69 receptions for 960 yards and 5 TD catches in 14 video games.
All through the draft course of, Harrison was deemed a generational prospect. Maybe the WR was overhyped, or Murray and the teaching employees aren’t jelling.
“Just a few weeks in the past, I discussed that there appears to be a disconnect between Kyler Murray and Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing,” Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano wrote in a Tuesday column. “It confirmed on the sphere, and never a lot has modified because the crushing blown lead in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings and the 2 losses in three weeks in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks.”
The Cardinals began 6-4 however have misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games and been eradicated from playoff rivalry. During this stretch, Murray has extra interceptions (six) than landing passes (4) and has posted a below-average 80.2 passer ranking.
Manzano advised the Cardinals ought to herald competitors for Murray in 2025, however that appears unlikely. The 2019 No. 1 total decide signed a five-year, $230.5M deal in 2022. Plus, the 2025 NFL Draft is not thought-about a deep QB class.
Nonetheless, Murray’s latest slide could increase questions on whether or not he is the suitable man for the Cardinals. The QB wants a robust end to quiet these issues.
On Saturday, the Cardinals will play the Los Angeles Rams (9-6) in a highway recreation at 8 p.m. ET. L.A.’s 18th-ranked go protection (219.7 YPG) ought to make the matchup favorable for Murray.