ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals GM Keim to Kyler Murray: ‘We need you to ignite this offense’

Apr 25, 2019, 8:39 PM | Updated: 10:33 pm

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim didn’t take a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft two years in a row just for the heck of it.

He did it, undoubtedly, because of his feelings about Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray, and the prospect’s abilities as both a passer and a threat on the ground. And maybe things would’ve been different had Josh Rosen flourished in the Cardinals’ offense last season, whether that was his fault or not that the team went 3-13.

The Cardinals’ 3,865 yards last season as an offense were far-and-away the fewest in the NFL. Rosen completed 55.2% of his passes for 2,278 yards, playing in 14 games under two different offensive coordinators and a one-and-done head coach.

So, a change was made.

Talking to his newly-minted first overall pick as the selection was being announced, Keim told Murray on Thursday, “We need you to ignite this offense.”

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury and team president Michael Bidwill also spoke to Murray on the phone, as shown in a behind-the-scenes video tweeted by the Cardinals.

“You ready to go? It’s time, man,” Kingsbury told Murray. “Hey, the talk is over. Now, they’ve got to deal with you.”

Arizona Cardinals

Super Bowl NFL...

Dan Bickley

Lessons from the 2024 NFL season, and what the Cardinals need to flourish

Monti Ossenfort needs to pull the right levers, signing high-end talent in free agency and drafting impact players just like the Eagles did in 2024.

7 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

17 hours ago

Chiefs Eagles...

Associated Press

Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl 3-peat with dominant defense in rout

The Chiefs didn't come close to completing their 3-peat, as the Eagles' dominant defense led Philadelphia to a rout and Super Bowl victory.

1 day ago

Cooper DeJean...

Damon Allred

Eagles stun Chiefs with pick-6, shutout first half in Super Bowl

Cooper DeJean had more yards on his pick-six than Patrick Mahomes had to his own team as the Philadelphia Eagles blitzed the Kansas City Chiefs to a shutout first half.

1 day ago

Aaron Rodgers...

Associated Press

Jets tell Aaron Rodgers they’re ‘moving on’ from the QB for next season, report says

Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating whether to continue his playing career. If he does, it appears it won’t be with the New York Jets.

1 day ago

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

2 days ago

Cardinals GM Keim to Kyler Murray: ‘We need you to ignite this offense’