Kyler Murray is no longer the Cardinals’ spectacular scapegoat, will always be a great lament

Kyler Murray is no longer our problem, our obsession, our scapegoat. He will remain one of our greatest laments.

In the history of Arizona sports, he now sits at a table with Justin Upton, a superstar that should’ve been but never was.

Murray was told he will be released by the Cardinals, and he’ll be free to sign with a team of his choice. His goodbye post on social media was classy and respectful. They were also words of an athlete who got what he wanted on his way out the door, after a mysterious injury sidelined him for the final 12 games of the regular season.

The next stage of Murray’s NFL career will be appointment viewing in the Valley, for a fan base long divided by a diminutive, polarizing quarterback.

Murray was a thrill-ride experience. He was electrifying and efficient in chunks and swaths, in small bites and hiccups.

His Hail Mary touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins was legendary. His two-point conversion against the Raiders ranks among the most unbelievable sporting feats I’ve ever witnessed. He routinely demoralized defenses with his improvisational skills, by always getting away at the last moment. The 7-0 start in 2021 felt exhilarating, like an impending coronation.

But the net gain of Murray was zero playoff victories in seven years. That’s unacceptable for a No. 1 overall pick, no matter how much the Cardinals were at fault, no matter what dysfunction they might present. Even worse, Murray’s only playoff appearance turned into one of the grossest big-stage debacles we’ve witnessed as a sports town.

His strengths were spectacular. But his flaws were obvious. He was not a verbal leader or an inspiring orator. He played with the contagion of fear, always ready to bail on a play or the football in the face of imminent danger. He was prone to late-season collapses and big-game glitches, the kind that seemed to reveal a football player struggling to control his panic.

Which I’m guessing is perfectly normal for a 5-foot-10 quarterback trying to survive the speed, size and violence of today’s NFL.

I truly wish Murray well. I love underdogs and second chances.

I love players who redefine human boundaries and the human spirit. I concede it wasn’t all his fault in Arizona. And I really hope he signs with the Vikings, a team that visits State Farm Stadium in the 2026 NFL regular season. The day all scores will be settled.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7.

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