The Arizona Cardinals were on the road against the Chicago Bears. Chicago won the game, 27-16. Here are a few minutes of what Kyler Murray had to say after the loss.
One of the first questions that was asked was, “What was the most frustrating part of this game?” Murray responded, “Just a lack of execution. We got to be better. It’s kind of like a theme this season.”
Murray would go on to say, “We’re used to playing good offense around here. It’s frustrating when your not putting out what you want.”
The Cardinals were 26th in offense going into the game against the Bears, putting up 18.3 points per game. Now, a big part of the offense struggling was the absence of Kyler Murray for the first nine games of the season.
So, how has the offense performed since Murray’s return? Murray has played in the last six games for Arizona. The Cardinals are averaging 20.6 points per game during that span.
This is an upgrade prior to early this year but definitely not the production that Murray has become accustomed to over his time in the NFL.
The Offense Through The Years
Murray was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. In his rookie season the Cardinals scored 22.6 points per game. Which was 16th best in the NFL?
Kyler Murray threw for 3,722 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while completing 64% of his passes. The leading receiver that season was the legendary Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald caught 75 passes for 804 yards and four touchdowns that season.
2020
In the 2020 season, Murray really hit his stride and the offense benefited in a major way. Arizona averaged 25.6 points per game, which was 13th best in the NFL that season.
The former Oklahoma Sooner completed 67.2% of his passes for 3,971 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 819 yards that season. Which was the second most on the team behind running back Kenyon Drake. Drake ran for 955 yards.
The leading receiver that year was perennial Probowler Deandre Hopkins. Hopkins caught 115 passes for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns.
2021
The momentum continued on the offensive side of the ball in the 2021 season. Murray threw for 3,787 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while completing 69% of his passes in 14 games. Murray was also very effective in the run game, running for 423 yards.
The leading receiver that year was Christian Kirk who had 77 receptions for 982 yards and five touchdowns.
The offense scored 26.4 points per game. This was 11th best in the league.
2022
Things took a turn for the worse on the offensive end in 2022. The Cardinals were 21st in points per game, as they averaged 20 points per game.
Murray only played in 11 games and threw for 2,368 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions as he completed 66% of this passes.
Deandre Hopkins was the leading receiver, even with only appearing in 9 games. Hopkins finished the season with 717 yards and three touchdowns on 64 receptions.
The Common Denominators
When Murray talks about the Cardinals being a good offensive team. He is referring to 2020 and 2021. Those were the years where Murray was selected to the Probowl and the offense was top 15 in scoring.
Murray was healthy for the most part during those years. So, that’s the first thing that needs to happen. Murray has to be on the field.
Murray also had dynamic weapons on the outside like Hopkins, Kirk, and Fitzgerald. For the Cardinals to get back to being a good offensive team, they need Murray to be healthy and they need to find a true number one wide receiver to go along with their stud tight end Trey McBride.
