Murray's return to practice field welcome sight for Cards
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals coaches and teammates welcomed Kyler Murray's return to the practice field on Wednesday, saying it was fun to watch their star quarterback do his usual magic throwing a football.
One thing's certain: It sure beats watching his social media accounts.
“It was good to have him,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
Murray returned to the field for the second set of Arizona's voluntary offseason workouts after missing the team's first practices in May.
It's been an eventful offseason for the quarterback, who has been
Murray is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and wants a new long-term deal. It appears he's looking for a contract in the neighborhood of Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen’s $254 million pact he signed last offseason.
Murray is already a two-time Pro Bowl selection, but there were grumblings that his leadership wasn't ideal during the team's late-season collapse last season. The Cardinals started with a 10-2 record, which was the best mark in the NFL, before losing four of their last five games and getting bounced from the playoffs in an ugly opening-round loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
There didn't seem to be any lingering discontent on Wednesday. Cardinals right tackle Kelvin Beachum praised Murray, saying he's going through the growing-up process that all players must navigate.
“He’s always had that presence, that was never in question,” Beachum said. “It’s just all the intangibles that he continues to fine tune. I’m excited to see that maturation process continue to occur.”
Murray didn't talk with reporters on Wednesday, but his presence at the workout is another sign that his relationship with the franchise has improved considerably over the past several weeks. General manager Steve Keim and coach Kingsbury were both quick to praise Murray in April after the draft.
The GM
“Nothing’s changed,” Keim said. “The way we’ve approached it is we have free agency, we have the draft, then we’ll take a deep breath and refocus. It’s the same reason every other player who has been a third-year quarterback, (their deal) has been done in the middle of the summer to the late summer. It’s no different for us. It’s just sort of the way the system works.”
Murray wasn't the only veteran who showed up for Wednesday's workout after missing the first voluntary workouts.
“A lot of starters back," Kingsbury said. “I thought the work was good. Spirited.”
MOURNING GLADNEY
The Cardinals were on the field for the first time since cornerback Jeff Gladney
Gladney was signed during the offseason and hadn't played a game yet for the Cardinals. Still, several Arizona players, particularly the defensive backs, had gotten to know the cornerback over the past couple of months.
Kingsbury said he addressed the team on Wednesday. The team also broke into smaller groups to talk about Gladney's death.
“It's hard to handle,” Kingsbury said. “But I think it gives all our players perspective on how precious life is. I know a lot of guys want to make sure they're living the right way because you never know.”
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
-
The Rams can't replace Aaron Donald. But Chris Shula, grandson of Don, has a plan
QB3? Drake Maye seems to have a long journey to winning starting job
Chiefs' Rashee Rice with team at OTAs amid legal troubles
-
Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. sued by apparel manufacturer Fanatics for breach of contract
Tom Brady meets with NFL rookies including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye
Tua Tagovailoa reportedly attends Dolphins' OTAs amid contract negotiations
-
Justin Jefferson reportedly absent from Vikings OTAs amid contract talks
Why Chiefs' Harrison Butker missed the mark in commencement speech
2024 NFL schedule release: Win-loss predictions, analysis for every team
-
The Rams can't replace Aaron Donald. But Chris Shula, grandson of Don, has a plan
QB3? Drake Maye seems to have a long journey to winning starting job
Chiefs' Rashee Rice with team at OTAs amid legal troubles
-
Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. sued by apparel manufacturer Fanatics for breach of contract
Tom Brady meets with NFL rookies including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye
Tua Tagovailoa reportedly attends Dolphins' OTAs amid contract negotiations
-
Justin Jefferson reportedly absent from Vikings OTAs amid contract talks
Why Chiefs' Harrison Butker missed the mark in commencement speech
2024 NFL schedule release: Win-loss predictions, analysis for every team