Cardinals QB Kyler Murray explains interception against Chiefs in preseason opener
The Arizona Cardinals opened their preseason schedule on Saturday with a 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. They rallied back from a 14-3 second-quarter deficit.
The starting offense played just over a quarter, playing two possessions and scoring three points.
Quarterback Kyler Murray both looked good in his limited time on the field, but he also threw a critical interception in the red zone of the Cardinals' first possession.
Murray explained what happened after the game. Essentially, he underthrew the ball.
“I just didn't get enough on it," he said postgame. "That's something that in practice, I'm never really rolling out full speed as if somebody's actually going to tackle me. It's kind of weird to explain. I've just got to get more on it. I'm glad it happened though, because I would hate for that to be New Orleans, and it means something.”
Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks also baited the throw. Hicks made it look like he was coming back down to cover Trey McBride, who was closer to the line of scrimmage and at the sideline, leading Murray to believe that he could just drop the throw in over the top to get to Marvin Harrison Jr.
Murray, who hadn't played in the preseason since 2021, was happy to get full-speed reps and have to make throws against players who are allowed to hit and tackle him.
Even in full-speed practices, it isn't the same for Murray, as defenders are not allowed to hit the quarterback or tackle players to the ground.
"That's something that you can't replicate in practice, moving around at the speed that you're moving at, going left to right lateral, having guys move and bodies moving," he said.
We don't know yet whether or not Murray will get anymore preseason action. Starters traditionally do not play in the final game, and the Cardinals will have a joint practice this coming week ahead of their preseason game against the Denver Broncos. The last two years, following joint practices, the Cardinals' starters have not played.
While no one wants to see Murray turn the ball over, the offense ran well. He completed all his other passes, getting the ball to five different pass catchers. They moved the ball. They just didn't finish their drives.
If that is all Murray does in the preseason, it should give some good momentum toward the regular season.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Kyler Murray explains interception vs. Chiefs
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