Kyler Murray is a lightning rod.
Some people see a dazzling physical talent making strides toward becoming an elite NFL quarterback.
Others believe inconsistency and high-leverage miscues are destined to keep him mid-tier the rest of his career.
One thing that isn’t often considered: the lack of a true No. 1 receiver for the majority of Murray’s time in the NFL.
While players like Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk were solid, neither was a bonafide No. 1 target when on the field with Murray. It took a trade for prime DeAndre Hopkins in 2020 to get that piece, and the results were impressive when they were on the field together.
However, because of injuries to both players and a PED suspension for Hopkins, there were only 29 games over a three-year stint in which both were on the field the majority of the time together.
Check out the discrepancy in success when Murray’s had a true No. 1 wideout and when he has not.
Kyler Murray
Record
Comp/Gm
Att/Gm
Yds/Gm
TD/Gm
INT/Gm
Passer Rating
With Hopkins
17-12
23.3
33.9
254.3
1.8
0.8
99.4
Without Hopkins
19-33-1
22.4
33.9
228.7
1.2
0.7
88.6
Hopkins was traded after 2022, and the Cardinals haven’t had a wideout ascend to the level of true No. 1 in the two seasons since. But there is hope for 2025.
Is Marvin Harrison, Jr. That Guy?
Tight end Trey McBride is great, and this analysis is not meant to diminish his worth to the Cardinals. However, an elite downfield threat is integral in the NFL, and it’s something that Arizona has been missing for awhile.
And even though GM Monti Ossenfort was stunningly silent in adding to the receiver room this season, there is belief that the Cardinals’ next star is already on the roster.
Marvin Harrison, Jr., the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft, wasn’t a monster out of the gate as a rookie, finishing with 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns.
Despite being the top non-quarterback selected, Harrison was outshined by Malik Nabers and second-round pick Ladd McConkey.
But Arizona has spoken highly of Harrison, Jr. all offseason, he’s put on noticeable muscle, and Murray said the chemistry has developed.
“Marv and I are in a great place,” Murray said Wednesday. “Honestly, night and day from when we drafted him to now. He’ll start conversations with me. I don’t have to beg him to talk to me or anything like that. I love where we’re at. Now it’s just time to go execute.”
Harrison, Jr. was viewed as the No. 1 receiver prospect in the draft despite some other talented players in the pool.
With the way the Cardinals structure their offense, he might not get loads of target volume, but optimizing his value is critical.
We should know early on if Harrison, Jr. has ascended to true No. 1 receiver status, and it could have an outsized effect on the Cardinals’ season.
There has been much made of Murray’s lack of postseason success and pedestrian overall career record in Arizona. But there’s no denying how good he was when on the field together with Hopkins.
The Cardinals may finally have another star receiver ready to step up in 2025, which gives hope that the offense has another level it can reach with Murray at the helm.
