Arizona Cardinals: 3 Reasons Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury can change NFL

Constructing the offense for Murray

For those critical of Kingsbury, especially those in the media, he’s made some smart choices. The first was to go to the source of Murray’s most recent success last fall, Oklahoma.

Give the first year rookie head coach some credit. He’s not trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Perhaps he sees that the pathway to success is the path of least resistance. Meaning that the elements of success Murray had with the Sooners will be part of the plan in Arizona.

For those who don’t recognize it, that’s Kingsbury parking some ego. He’s smart enough to know it’s not about his plan, but a plan that works with Murray as the centerpiece. So much so, he’s talked to Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley about ways to make the transition easier for the rookie quarterback, (h/t Cards Wire):

"“That doesn’t happen very often when you can step in from college and just take the next step in a very similar system. I’ve talked with (Murray’s college head coach Lincoln Riley) and tried to some things terminology-wise and conceptually that Kyler likes and is comfortable with, and build it from there."

Kingsbury is smart to know the pathway to professional success doesn’t necessarily roll though himself. By tapping into a familiar ecosystem, Murray may get out of the gate fast. If he’s successful, Arizona can and will close the gap in the NFC West sooner than most expect.