Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has dramatically reduced his aggressive play style in his seventh NFL season, emphasizing checkdowns and safe decisions over deep shots. Murray\'s aggressiveness rate has dropped from 16.8% last season to 11.2% through three games this year.
The transformation became evident in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers when Murray chose a 3-yard checkdown to running back Trey Benson instead of attempting deep passes to four open receivers in the red zone. The conservative decision led to a touchdown on the next play.
Murray has thrown four checkdowns through three games, tied for sixth-most in the NFL. Since entering the league in 2019, he ranks eighth in total checkdowns among all quarterbacks.
Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing praised Murray\'s decision-making evolution under the team\'s West Coast offensive scheme. The system has moved Murray from 6.8% of snaps under center in his final two seasons under Kliff Kingsbury to 25.3% under Petzing.
\"I would say that\'s probably the secret,\" Murray said. \"In high school and college, you can kind of get away with doing stuff, trying to do too much. It doesn\'t bite you in the ass like it does in the NFL.\"
Murray\'s father Kevin, a longtime quarterbacks coach, has worked with his son on making smart decisions since age six. The elder Murray noted that restraint from constantly pushing downfield separates elite quarterbacks from the rest of the league.
Murray\'s conservative approach mirrors successful NFL quarterbacks who lead in checkdown completions, including Derek Carr, Russell Wilson, and Tom Brady. The strategy helps maintain offensive rhythm while reducing turnovers and protecting quarterback health.