Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is known for his quick release, elite arm talent, and surgical precision when operating from the pocket. But heading into the 2025 season, the former No. 1 overall pick is ready to unlock another level of his game—by returning to his roots as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback.
In a recent interview with PHNX Sports, Murray openly expressed his willingness to run the football more next season, calling it “such a weapon” for the Cardinals’ offense.
“I’m open to running more next year, just because it’s such a weapon,” Murray said. “Like when I hand the ball off—obviously I hand the ball off to James [Conner], I hand off to Trey [Benson]—we’re a very good rushing team, which is a great thing. But when Lamar [Jackson] hands the ball off, everybody is like ‘Ahh’, like, you can relax. Josh [Allen] hands the ball off, you know what I mean?”
Murray’s statement suggests a philosophical shift in how he sees himself fitting into Arizona’s offense—especially as the league continues to evolve around mobile quarterbacks who force defenses to defend every blade of grass.
The Untapped Potential of Murray’s Legs
Kyler Murray’s legs have always been a game-changer. In 2020, when he rushed for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns, he was one of the most feared threats in the open field. His ability to evade pressure, extend plays, and break off explosive runs kept defensive coordinators up at night.
But over the past two seasons, Murray has taken a more conservative approach, in part due to scheme adjustments, injury management, and the desire to evolve as a pocket passer. Now healthy and confident, he’s ready to reintroduce the chaos that once made him one of the NFL’s most exciting players.
“Conceptually, on time, I feel I’m one of the best in the league,” he continued. “I think where we get better is making things happen outside the pocket.”
That balance—precision from the pocket mixed with improvisational magic—is what separates elite quarterbacks in today’s NFL. Players like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are unpredictable and dangerous not just because of their arms, but because of what they can do when the play breaks down.
Why It Matters for Arizona’s Offense
The Cardinals finished 11th in total offense in 2024, struggling with consistency in both the passing game and red zone execution. While running backs James Conner and rookie Trey Benson showed promise, the offense lacked explosive plays outside of scripted designs.
Adding designed quarterback runs—or simply encouraging Murray to scramble more when the pocket collapses—could add a layer of unpredictability that makes Arizona far more difficult to defend.
A more mobile Murray also puts pressure on linebackers and safeties to hesitate on their reads. That moment of pause can be the difference between a 3-yard gain and a 40-yard shot downfield to Marvin Harrison Jr. or Michael Wilson.
The Bigger Picture: Winning Football
Murray’s desire to run more isn’t about padding stats—it’s about winning games.
The Cardinals are still rebuilding under head coach Jonathan Gannon, but they have quietly added weapons around Murray to make a legitimate push in 2025. If the offensive line continues to improve and the defense takes another step forward, Murray’s willingness to run could be the X-factor that puts Arizona back in the playoff conversation.
For a team that hasn’t won a postseason game since 2015, unlocking the full potential of Kyler Murray—both as a passer and runner—might be the key to breaking that drought.
Kyler Murray has always had the ability to change games with his feet. Now, he’s embracing that weapon again. As he enters his sixth NFL season with a renewed sense of confidence and a clearer vision for how to lead the Cardinals forward, fans should be excited.
A more mobile Kyler isn’t just a dangerous Kyler—it might be the best version of him yet.
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