Cardinals QB Kyler Murray makes key adjustment in 7th season - ESPN

TEMPE, Ariz. — As Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sat in the pocket with the clock ticking under 15 seconds in the second quarter of a Week 2 game against the visiting Carolina Panthers, his offensive line neutralizing the four-man rush, he had options unfolding in front of him.

Arizona was in a four-wide set with the receivers running a scissors route. Both slot receivers — Trey McBride and Michael Wilson — were running downfield then cutting outside, and both wideouts — Marvin Harrison Jr. and Zay Jones — were doing the same but cutting inside. All four were testing the Panthers' soft Cover 2, trying to find open grass.

Arizona was up 13-3 at the time, the first half was winding down and the end zone was a throw away. Murray had a choice. Both McBride to the right and Wilson to left were options for a perfectly placed fade to the front corners of the end zone. Or Murray could've sent a dart down the seam to either Harrison or Jones.

Nobody would've thought twice if Murray tried any of those throws. Those aggressive plays have become expected out of Murray. His aggressiveness rate, as measured by NFL NextGen Stats, has been his highest over the past two seasons, at 15.3% and 16.8% in 2023 and 2024, respectively. His aggressiveness rate is 11.2% three games into this season.

Instead of taking the deep shot, and the accompanying risk that would've come with the potential high reward, Murray did the opposite. He chose the safe play: a quick, 3-yard pass to a wide-open Trey Benson, the running back who came out of the backfield and straight up the middle of the offense line before turning around at the 20-yard line and waiting for Murray to hit him. Benson turned the pass into a 12-yard gain, setting up an