Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray deserves less blame for playoff loss to Los Angeles Rams
A lot of blame has been passed around in the wake of the Arizona Cardinals' embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL playoffs and quarterback Kyler Murray has received a lot of it.
But one NFL star says that the Cardinals' offensive line should share in some of the culpability for Murray's failures in the NFL playoff divisional round.
That NFL star, Cameron Jordan, is all too familiar with pressuring quarterbacks, and Murray was under a lot of pressure in the loss to the Rams.
"I can't say that he is too small, I will say maybe they have a better offensive line that can protect him a little more," Jordan said on an appearance on FS1's First Things First. "He was rattled this game. It looked like a jail break more times than not. I wouldn't put it on him just yet, I would put it on the offensive line before I put it on him."
More: Arizona Cardinals need to hire Jim Harbaugh, fire Kliff Kingsbury, Phoenix radio host says
More: Why Arizona Cardinals should not fire Kliff Kingsbury, overreact to Kyler Murray's woes
Did the Rams make the right move trading Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford? Is Kyler Murray too small to stay healthy in the NFL?
— @camjordan94 breaks down the Rams' 'win-now mentality' and why he thinks the Cardinals offensive line let Kyler down: pic.twitter.com/IhpdyXvkf0— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 18, 2022
Murray has been slammed since his performance against the Rams, with NFL writers and fans questioning his poor play in the 34-11 loss.
Jordan said that he wasn't concerned with Murray's future.
"I think he's electric," the Saints defensive end said. "I think he does a lot of great things. You can't replace what he brings to that team. You think about where they were a couple of years ago vs. where they have been with Kyler Murray, this season was nothing short of amazing."
Nick Wright and Chris Broussard questioned Murray's durability on the show, wondering if he will able to hold up throughout a season because of his size.
More: Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray slammed for NFL playoff performance vs. Los Angeles Rams
Do the Cardinals need to make drastic changes?
"Sometimes the guy who went 13-19 w/ Mahomes starting isn't a good coach. Kingsbury won't be there long-term. ... Bc of Kyler Murray's size & durability questions, I don't know if I'm giving him $40M this offseason." —@getnickwright pic.twitter.com/VDdPvHcD0J— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 18, 2022
"Even though Kyler Murray played most of the games, you wonder if he's going to be healthy through a full season. ... I'd definitely sit back & wait to pay him. I've got nothing to lose."
—@Chris_Broussard on if the Cardinals need to make drastic changes after 34-11 loss to Rams pic.twitter.com/lDB5bgDa6W— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 18, 2022
But Jordan doesn't think it is Murray's size that is cause for concern, it is more his style of play at his position.
"I don't even know if that goes for a quarterback his size," he said. "Any of these scrambling type quarterbacks. I mean, that's the risk you run when you are being electric. When you are going against or you are being hit by guys that look like me or are bigger, you know, you always run that risk."
More: Arizona Cardinals' Steve Keim called out by ESPN's Mina Kimes after NFL playoff loss
VOTE: Who is most to blame for the #AZCardinals' collapse at the end of the #NFL season? (Kyler Murray slammed: https://t.co/NbKHzp8Ub6) (Kliff Kingsbury speculation: https://t.co/GLUvlQXq09) @azcentral #RedSea
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) January 18, 2022
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray deserves less blame, NFL star says