Ex-OLB Markus Golden: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray leads on and off the field

Sep 17, 2024, 1:11 PM | Updated: 1:13 pm

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray runs with the rock....

Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 7, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

BY ANNE-MARIE IEMMOLO

Arizona Sports

Former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden says quarterback Kyler Murray was the first player from the team to reach out after the Cardinals cut Golden in 2023.

“That says a lot about his (Murray) leadership and his development as a leader to reach out and show me love,” Golden said when he joined Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Tuesday.

Murray had a near-perfect performance during the Cardinals’ 41-10 win on Sunday against their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams. He finished with a passer rating of 158.3 after completing 17 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns.

“He can throw the ball and scramble and run the ball down the field,” Golden said on Murray’s strengths. “When you can do that at a high level like him, the sky’s the limit.”

The linebacker has seen Murray grow all the way from a rookie to team captain of the Cardinals.

After being released from Arizona, Golden became a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 1. Shortly after, the Steelers placed Golden on the reserve/retired list.

Golden officially announced his retirement on Aug. 21, concluding his nine-season career in the NFL.

“I’ve been able to live my dreams and do everything I’ve wanted to do with football,” Golden said. “It was time for me to move on to the next step of my life.”

The Cardinals selected Golden in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played in 127 games throughout his career, recording 51 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 344 total tackles.

Despite his retirement, Golden’s ties to Arizona remain strong. The University of Missouri alum attended the Cardinals-Rams game as an honorary captain.

Golden praised Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck for his performance during Sunday’s game.

“I always believed in him (Gardeck) because he came to work every day,” Golden said.

Gardeck led Arizona’s defense on Sunday with three sacks, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble against the Rams.

The Cardinals will host the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.

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