Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray is Cardinals 'franchise quarterback'

The Cardinals should be a major player in next April’s NFL Draft. But don’t look for Arizona using a lofty draft pick to replace quarterback Kyler Murray.

Although there is so much chatter that suggests the Cardinals will (or maybe should?) use one of their first-round picks on a quarterback, first-year coach Jonathan Gannon is standing with Murray. He’s their franchise quarterback.

“No, there’s not (any doubt),” Gannon said during an interview with the Burns and Gambo podcast. “I love this guy, man.”

And then Gannon laughed at the idea that Murray wouldn’t represent the Cardinals future. Arizona selected Murray, the 26-year-old former Heisman winner from Oklahoma, with the top pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. He’d had a quiet season, mostly because he still was rehabbing from reconstructive knee surgery. Murray has played in the last seven Cardinals game, posting a 3-4 record. That includes directing a 35-31 road upset of the Eagles, last year’s NFC champions, last weekend.

“No, there’s no doubt,” Gannon said, “‘No. 1’ our franchise quarterback, that’s who I love.” (Murray wears No. 1).

The Cardinals have two first-round draft picks for next April’s draft. Currently, those are picks No. 4 and 17. They have their own pick, plus the Texans’ first-rounder. The Chicago Bears, thanks to their trade with the Panthers for the right to select Bryce Young, own the top pick for 2024.

Depending on what happens in the season finale, the Cardinals, with their own pick, could select as high as No. 2 or as low as No. 7. The resurgent Texans are vying for a playoff birth thanks to their own draft last April with the selection of quarterback CJ Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson.

Like last April, this year’s draft could be top heavy with quarterbacks. In 2023, three of the top four picks were quarterbacks. This year, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper projects three quarterbacks amongst the top four prospects. Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman winner, still is the choice for the top pick. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye came in at No. 3. LSU’s Jayden Williams, this season’s Heisman winner, was fourth on Kiper’s most recent Big Board. Then you have Washington’s Michael Penix or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy possibly getting into the first round. The two face each other in Monday’s national championship game.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals finish their season with a home game against the Seahawks. Seattle (8-8) still has a remote chance at making the playoffs if they beat the Cardinals.