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Welcome to the NFL, Kyler Murray, where you get sacked by your own offensive linemen. Early on into the Arizona Cardinals Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions, Lions linebacker Devon Kennard was closing in on a sack on the rookie. He got some help from the Redbirds' own lineman Justin Pugh, who finished the tackle on Murray for him.
Kyler Murray is gonna have a tough time behind this Cardinals offensive line, especially if his own guards are doing the tackling. pic.twitter.com/LPNAMC3PTj
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) September 8, 2019
Murray's first half in the NFL didn't wow. He went 6 for 16 for 41 yards and an interception as well as a rush for six yards. He was sacked three times, all by Kennard, proving that the Cardinals offensive line still needs some help.
The Cardinals have allowed back-to-back 50+ sack seasons. They didn't do too much to address the line in the 2019 offseason. Rather than draft young lineman to help out and grow with Murray, general manager Steve Keim brought in veterans, including right tackle Marcus Gilbert and offensive guard J.R. Sweezy.
It appears as if the Cardinals' minor fixes to the offensive line haven't correctly fixed the issue. Though Murray has the speed and agility to get out of sticky situations, he can't avoid his own guard helping out a sack. Nor, can he help consistent pressure coming in from all directions; that's precisely what has happened against Detroit and all of the preseason.
In order for Arizona to thrive, growth from the unit will be necessary. They don't want to replicate Josh Rosen's situation from 2018. Luckily, the 2020 NFL Draft class is stacked full with talented offensive linemen.
Unluckily, that date is far away.
