Cardinals TE Clay: Murray will be ‘special,’ opposes an 18-game season

Arizona Cardinals tight end Charles Clay said he believes quarterback Kyler Murray will be “special” after getting a first look at the rookie during OTAs.

The Cardinals signed the eight-year veteran to a one-year contract this offseason after being released by the Buffalo Bills in February. Clay had been with the Miami Dolphins for four seasons before signing a free agent deal with the Bills in 2015 worth $38 million.

Clay made an appearance during OTAs on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Bickley & Marotta to discuss Murray and how multiple NFL owners are reportedly considering an 18-game regular season schedule.

Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury

It’s only been a few weeks, but Clay has been impressed by the rookie quarterback.

“As long as he continues to work, he will be really special,” Clay said Thursday. “He has a presence about him. He is always calm, always poise.”

Murray has received a lot of praise from his teammates thus far and they have been impressed with his leadership skills so early in the process.

Clay said Murray can keep calm despite all the craziness that goes on around him, which shows his leadership on the field.

“It’s natural, and he does it his way,” Clay said.

As far as his new head coach goes, Clay has liked what he’s seen in OTAs.

“He is very energetic, fun to be around and hard-working,” Clay said of Kingsbury. “I’m excited about the possibilities and where this offense can go this year.”

Possible 18-game regular season expansion

According to the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, some NFL owners are taking a look at the possibility of an expanded 18-game regular season.

Clay said players already take a physical beating with the current schedule and “doesn’t see the point behind it.”

However, it is unknown if an 18-game season would include all four preseason games or if the preseason would be cut short in order to compensate for a longer regular season.

The report also states that several owners are considering expanding the playoff field instead of adding on two more regular season games.

The last collective bargaining agreement was struck in 2011 after a lockout that lasted over four months. That 10-year agreement between the league and NFLPA expires following the 2020 season. Union leaders have warned players and their agents to be prepared for another possible lockout.

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