Matt Leinart Exclusive: ‘It’s Time’ For Kyler Murray To Put It All Together

Matt Leinart was a highly-touted first round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals back in 2006, but never lived up the billing. 

Fast forward nearly 20 years later and the franchise quarterback is now Kyler Murray. 

Murray is entering his seventh season with the Cardinals, but has just one playoff appearance and no postseason wins to show for it.

Leinart says it’s time for the 28-year-old quarterback to take the “next step.”

“Kyler Murray, it’s time,” Leinart said in an exclusive interview with The Escapist. “You’ve been a franchise guy there for a long time. You’ve shown enough flashes where you can be special. He has to put it together this year. I think he’s probably got that mindset.”

The Cardinals were in contention for a playoff berth last season, but stumbled down the stretch during the second half of the season. 

“It’s interesting because they were close, and I just can’t figure it out with Kyler,” says Leinart. “It feels like it’s time. It’s time to take that next step, which is the playoffs. It’s a winnable division. The Rams are obviously a good football team, and they’ve kind of been around and who knows about Matthew Stafford’s health and all that. But it’s a division that you can win. And once you get in the playoffs, it’s anyone’s game.”

Leinart: Kyler-MHJ Connection Must Improve

Leinart says one of the keys to the Cardinals’ success is the continued growth and connection between Murray and second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. 

While Harrison showed glimpses last year, he didn’t excel the way many expected him to during his rookie season.

“I want to see a better connection with him and Marvin Harrison Jr,” says Leinart. “That last year was a little bit interesting with rookie growing pains. There’s so many — I’m not going to point (fingers) — there’s just so many things that go on in a team and on offense or defense and players. Sometimes it just takes time to mesh, and I think we need to see that in year two.”

Harrison Jr. posted 62 receptions for 885 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked second among all rookies in receiving touchdowns, but fifth in receptions.

“Marvin Harrison’s a great player,” says Leinart. “He’s unbelievable. He’s got to take that next step. When you have a guy like that, that’s half of it. The other half is the quarterback. You start to put all these pieces together.”

The Cardinals haven’t made the playoffs since 2021, and expectations are high now as GM Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon enter their third year with the organization.

“I’d love to see them take that next step,” Leinart said. “Obviously they gave me a shot in the NFL, playing there for four years. A lot of good people over there, and I know they want to win. It feels like it’s time.”