Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim dunked on rampant trade rumors surrounding star quarterback Kyler Murray. When asked about the likelihood of trading the Pro Bowl passer, Keim told Arizona reporters: “Zero chance.”
Murray and his agent, Erik Burkhardt, are seeking a blockbuster contract extension. Burkhardt has expressed frustration publicly in a statement about the Cardinals not making a big financial commitment.
A deal hasn’t developed at this point, though.
‘Nothing has changed’
Keim expressed optimism about Murray ultimately being with the Cardinals on a long-term basis.
“The way we have approached it is we have free agency, we have the draft, and then we will take a deep breath and sort of re-focus,” Keim said. “That’s sort of the reason every other player that has been a third-year quarterback has been (extended) in the middle of the summer or late summer. It’s no different for us. Nothing has changed in terms of him being our long-term and short-term quarterback.
“Listen, I was a decent GM when Carson Palmer was our quarterback. When he retired, I wasn’t very good. I am smart enough to know that Kyler Murray makes me a better GM.”
Murray weighs in
On a podcast, former Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said that the team needs to be more successful to get Murray to want to make a long-term commitment.
“No disrespect to the Arizona Cardinals, I feel like they don’t put the team in a position to be successful year after year,” Peterson said. “And Kyler Murray’s not gonna sit around and wait for that.”
Murray quickly replied on social media, writing: “I wanna win Super Bowls with the Cardinals, AZ is home.”
Murray also replied to media criticism: “Run whatever narratives y’all wanna run with… but questioning my work ethic, we not going for.”
Agent issued statement
In a lengthy statement issued earlier this offseason, Burkhardt disclosed that he has already sent a detailed contract proposal to the Cardinals. Indeed, he wants market value for his client.
“Kyler wants to be direct with loyal Arizona Cardinals fans and the great community of the Valley in stating his two very important goals and objectives: 1) He absolutely wants to be your long-term QB. 2) He desperately wants to win the Super Bowl,” Burkhardt stated. “Achieving both goals will take incredible commitment from himself and the entire organization.
“… To overtly communicate Kyler’s desire to be the Cardinals’ long-term QB, we sent a detailed contract proposal to the organization. It was important to Kyler that his proposal reflected all of the following: provides financial protection, is in line with the current QB market that compares his results alongside relevant comps, lowers his 2022-23 salary cap number to allow the Cardinals to re-sign other deserving teammates and add additional free agents, and, most importantly, represents a real commitment from the organization to see if their ultimate goals align with 2 above (consistently competing for championships and Kyler as their QB).
“Actions speak louder than words in this volatile business. It is now simply up to the Cardinals to decide if they prioritize their rapidly improving 24-year-old, already two-time Pro Bowl QB, who led the organization from 3 wins before his arrival to 11 wins and their first playoff appearance in 5 years or rather, if they choose to financially prioritize committing to other areas and continuing to merely talk about addressing Kyler’s long-term future as their QB.
“Unfortunately, every player, coach, and executive in the NFL knows (or should know) that words and hypothetical contractual promises are regularly dismissed and fleeting in this business. Kyler remains hopeful that the organization chooses to commit so that he can continue leading the Cardinals to further success and value for many years to come.”
Kingsbury downplays drama
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury and Murray have the same agent. Kingsbury downplayed the drama of the offseason.
“It’s the business of the NFL,” Kingsbury said. “It comes with the territory.”
Keim said that he has spoken recently with Murray about the NFL Draft. He called Murray a “football junkie.”
Kingsbury said that he and Murray keep their conversations about football.
“We both understand to keep it on a professional level,” Kingsbury said. “We just talk football. We talk how to get better schematically, Xs and Os. He always wants to know about personnel, who we are trying to sign, who are we trying to draft, but it’s all about football.”