ARIZONA CARDINALS

Kyler Murray, Josh Rosen make post-draft Sports Illustrated cover

Apr 30, 2019, 9:11 AM

Controversial a pick as Kyler Murray might’ve been for the Arizona Cardinals, the storyline isn’t just about him.

Sports Illustrated’s post-NFL Draft magazine cover features not only Murray, the No. 1 overall pick, but also departed Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, who is starting fresh with the Miami Dolphins.

The magazine features torn images of Murray’s and Rosen’s respective draft days with “WILD CARDS” plastered across it.

The stories in the magazine cover Rosen’s rare change of scenery after just one year with Arizona; and why moving on to Murray makes sense in this financially-prudent age where teams want nothing more than to win with their quarterbacks on rookie contracts.

As messy as the draft was when Arizona selected Murray and spent the next day trying to trade Rosen, maybe it’s quite simple.

The Cardinals may have liked Rosen and believed in him, but they felt more sure about Murray’s talent and more dynamic skillset. While they passed on high-potential defensive linemen in Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams, filling the quarterback position is a different priority altogether.

And that’s why, despite Arizona looking like it’s made knee-jerk decisions, taking such a non-traditional player like Murray appeared worth the risk.

That risk made for one of the most compelling storylines of draft.

Arizona Cardinals

Max Melton runs the 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals rookies on cusp of writing new chapter in their football journeys

While the NFL Draft marked the end of one journey, it along with rookie minicamp kicking off Friday signaled the beginning of another.

13 hours ago

Xavier Thomas celebrates midgame...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals sign Xavier Thomas, 3 other rookies to 4-year contracts

The Arizona Cardinals signed four rookies from their 2024 NFL Draft class to four-year contracts on Thursday.

14 hours ago

Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. announces on his social media he will be wearing...

Bailey Leasure

Marvin Harrison Jr. announces his Cardinals jersey number

Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. announces on his social media he will be wearing No. 18 for the team.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field before the game against the Seattle Se...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals schedule to release on May 15, per report

The Arizona Cardinals already know what teams they will be playing and where, just not when. That date is soon approaching, per a report.

2 days ago

Trey Benson celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals questions post-NFL Draft: Who takes over at RB2 behind James Conner?

Two names who could make a case to lock down the Cardinals' RB2 role include rookie Trey Benson and veteran Michael Carter.

3 days ago

Markus Bailey celebrates after a play...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals sign ex-Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey to 1-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray, Josh Rosen make post-draft Sports Illustrated cover