Cardinals QB Kyler Murray lashes out at head coach during Saints win
Glendale, Arizona - It hasn't been smooth sailing for Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray this season, and on Thursday night, the star quarterback let off some steam with probably the worst person he could have picked – head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Late in the second quarter of the 28-14 win over the New Orleans Saints, Murray was headed back to the Cardinals' sideline after a timeout call when the cameras caught him shouting at his head coach.
"Calm the f*** down! Calm the f*** down!" he was heard screaming during the live broadcast.
As Kingsbury returned the fire, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins stood between the two men, trying to de-escalate the situation.
After the heated exchange, the Cardinals were able to score on the next play and tie the game.
Eventually, Arizona would take the lead with back-to-back interception returns for touchdowns by halftime and finish out the night on a high.
Thursday's victory for the Cardinals ended their two-game losing streak, moving up to 3-4 in the season.
Kingsbury plays down Murray's outburst
While some fans were worried about Murray's outburst and what it might mean for his relationship with the fourth-year Cardinal head coach, both parties brushed aside any speculation in the press conference following the game.
"He’s real animated over there on the sideline sometimes," Murray said, and he explained the message he was trying to convey: "Calm down, we’re good. We’re going to make it right. We ended up scoring, so that was good, but that’s all I was saying. Just chill out."
Kingsbury said the situation was simply a difference of opinions – and generations.
"He said I didn’t look good on TV. Acting that fiery," Kingsbury said to the media. "Guess it’s a Gen Z thing. 'You’re on TV so calm down.' I like showing emotion."
On Sunday, the Cardinals will travel to Minnesota to play against the Vikings for a Week 8 showdown.
Cover photo: Harry How / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP