Christian Kirk: Cardinals’ Kyler Murray ‘deserves everything he’s earned’

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk didn’t get into free agency, but he did speak on quarterback Kyler Murray and their relationship with TMZ Sports recently.

In the video posted Monday morning, Kirk touched on Murray and his leadership.

“He’s a great friend of mine and he’s always treated me well and teammates around him well,” Kirk said. “Every time he steps on the field, he wants to win.”

Despite Kirk’s warm words, Murray’s leadership qualities have been called into question over the past few seasons. The reported rift over a contract extension has magnified those feelings.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported as recent as Super Bowl Sunday that the team was looking for Murray to take steps in his leadership and maturity, including sideline body language.

The report came about a week after it was discovered Murray had undergone a social media scrub on Instagram that saw all but two posts from the Pro Bowl and his Heisman Trophy win in 2018 deleted from his profile.

Murray and the Cardinals ended up trading statements after the reports before owner Michael Bidwill doubled down on his thoughts on the QB, saying he is the category of those who love the signal caller.

Three days later, Murray’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, issued a statement of his own putting onus on the Cardinals to prioritize the quarterback’s contract extension. Burkhardt also represents head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who along with general manager Steve Keim, received a contract extension last Wednesday.

Murray just completed the third year of his four-year rookie deal that also includes a fifth-year team option. He’s expected to make $5.5 million this upcoming season.

Kirk, who is looking for a new deal of his own, believes the signal caller is worthy of an extension.

“Most definitely, Kyler’s a special player,” Kirk said. “There’s few people who can do what he does. I believe he deserves everything that he’s earned and that he has coming.”

As for as the wide receiver’s free-agency plans? Kirk, who was seen vacationing with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen this offseason, is weighing his options.

“I kinda have an open mind with it, I just want to land in the best place I can be in,” Kirk said. “Whether that’s Arizona or somewhere else, I’m blessed to be in this position.”

“I’m just going to let my team and people that are helping me make the decision help me out and we’ll see where it goes,” Kirk added.

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