Kyler Murray Sends a Strong Message to Cardinals Locker Room as Jonathan Gannon’s QB Receives $32M Update

For the past three years, the Arizona Cardinals have been stuck in a cycle of inconsistency, injuries, and unmet expectations. Some franchises would hit the reset button after three straight losing seasons. Arizona? They’re doing the opposite after their dilapidated 8-9 record. They’re even doubling down on their franchise quarterback, and Kyler Murray is meeting the moment with a mindset shift that could redefine the team’s future.

While visiting South Korea for the first time, he sat down with Kwon Jang-ho of Korea 24 on KBS World Radio. At one point, the host asked, “So you made your debut in the NFL in 2019. How has your experience been so far? It’s been six years now.” To this, the player responded, “Haven’t accomplished the things that I want to accomplish, you know, in winning a Super Bowl. That’s the ultimate goal. I had some individual success…winning Rookie of the Year and being a two-time Pro. But that’s not why I play the game. I play the game to win. You play the game to win the Super Bowl and lead this organization that’s never won a Super Bowl. So that’s the goal.”

However, when asked about the 2025 season, Murray didn’t dodge the hard truth, while also pointing out how the team has fallen short.”At the end of the day, I’ve had some success, but as a unit, in totality, the ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl,” the quarterback admitted, before adding, “We haven’t done that yet, and I haven’t done enough.”

That’s a shift from the past.

This isn’t the same Murray who once made headlines for his electric speed but drew criticism for his leadership. Early in his career, former Cardinals wide receiver Brice Butler was blunt about it, saying, “He is not really a leader, and people don’t really surround themselves around him.” That wasn’t just Butler talking; there was a broader narrative that Murray wasn’t the kind of quarterback who could command a locker room.

Fast forward to 2023, and the story was different. The offseason marked a turning point, with reports highlighting three key areas of growth—accountability, communication, and a stronger focus on team success over personal accolades. Jonathan Gannon saw it firsthand. “He’s leaps and bounds ahead of last year,” Gannon said, calling Murray a “coach on the field.” That’s a long way from the days when his leadership was in question.

Notably, the 27-year-old finished the 2024 season completing 68.8% of his passes for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, also rushing for 572 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Having said that, this is a quarterback holding himself accountable, sending a clear message to the locker room, and embracing the role of the guy Arizona is paying him to be. And speaking of that paycheck, head coach Jonathan Gannon is right there with him, fueling the fire.

Cardinals show undeterred commitment to Kyler Murray

Now, as the Cardinals prep for what could be a game-changing 2025 season, whispers of a $32 million boost are already spreading around. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the six-year veteran earned another early payday “by being on the Cardinals at 4 p.m., ET today (Saturday).” Besides the already due $32.6 million, he will earn an additional $32.835 million guaranteed for 2026. 

It’s a new era in Arizona under the regime of General Manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Gannon. With Murray at the helm, they made some investments aimed at supporting him. Gannon brought edge-rusher Josh Sweat, who flourished under him in Philadelphia. Another bonus addition was defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. But that wasn’t all!

They also re-signed key players like wide receiver Zay Jones, guard Evan Brown, and offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum Jr to further boost their offense. Additionally, they added veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett (53 career starts) to serve as a reliable backup, just in case Murray once again fell victim to his ill-fate of injury struggles. As Murray and Gannon lead the charge, it’s time for the Cardinals to rise above setbacks and strive for greatness. Let’s keep an eye on how this unfolds—it’s going to be an exciting ride for the Cardinals fans!