It's NFL list season, as writers search for fodder before the start of the 2025 NFL regular season. Every year, some of that fodder seems to include the possibility of the
Arizona Cardinals trading quarterback Kyler Murray, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that one NFL writer approached that subject again in a "bold" prediction for the 2025 season. The writer,
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated , had "Kyler Murray will play his final snaps for the Cardinals" as his No. 8 bold prediction for the 2025 season (he had 100 predictions). He wrote: "Murray’s dead cap number almost halves after this season. The former No. 1 pick is not a bad quarterback, but the Cardinals will likely conclude that the club has maximized Murray in Arizona and that it’s best to recoup some kind of draft asset before pivoting. Murray had a six-game stretch at the tail end of last season in which he failed to top 100 in quarterback rating, and he has played just one fully healthy season since 2020. While a lot of this is not Murray’s fault and is often the reality of playing for a team bad enough to qualify for the No. 1 pick, Arizona will prepare for larger-scale changes after finishing in the NFC West basement."
Would Arizona Cardinals trade Kyler Murray?
Would the Cardinals really trade Murray? Some sites predict a solid season for the Cardinals in 2025, a season that could even
ultimately include a playoff berth . The team wouldn't be trading Murray if that happened. But Orr doesn't believe that will happen. He included the Cardinals going under their 8.5 win-total over/under odds in another "bold" prediction. Orr wrote: "These win totals, provided by
BetMGM , will pay out for those wagering on the under. Washington’s merciless schedule, Miami’s hollow roster and Arizona’s trouble staying afloat in a very resurgent NFC West will contribute to what fans may consider a disappointing season on all fronts, unless of course they hedge their personal feelings with a counter wager against their teams’ success." Sounds like a pretty tough year for Cardinals, according to Orr, which might dampen some of the optimism many have surrounding the team.
Cardinals picks, predictions, odds: How many games will team win in 2025 season? More 'bold predictions' for Arizona Cardinals
But not all was negative for the Cardinals in the predictions. Orr also included a "bold" prediction that Marvin Harrison Jr. and James Conner would combine for more than 20 touchdowns on the season in his list as well as a prediction that rookie Walter Nolen would lead all rookies in tackles for loss and rookie defensive tackles in sacks. But most eyes will be on Murray for the Cardinals in 2025. After an 8-9 record in 2024, preceded by back-to-back four-win seasons in 2022 and 2023, picking the Cardinals and Murray to make the postseason for the first time since 2021 might be the bolder prediction.
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