GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass during the first half of the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. ( Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Cardinals aren’t going to win many games this season, but Kyler Murray’s electric debut gives the franchise an exciting platform to build on. 

When the Cardinals made the decision to draft Kyler Murray with the No.  1 overall pick in April’s draft, the clear hope was that he could become the franchise’s quarterback of the future.  After just one game in the NFL, it’s clear that Murray has a chance to become that and more for Arizona. 

It wasn’t a perfect debut for the diminutive signal caller.  For the first three quarters and change of action against the Lions, Murray’s play looked like a quarterback who wasn’t remotely ready for the challenge of playing in the NFL.  Then things suddenly clicked for the former Oklahoma star and Arizona stormed back from a massive deficit to force their game against the Lions into overtime.  Without Murray, the Cardinals would have gone away without as much as a whimper. 

In the end, Arizona only managed to earn a tie against the Lions.  The result of the game is far less important to the franchise’s future than the way Murray played in his first game as a professional.  The rookie quarterback looked like a player who could develop into a future superstar.  That’s precisely what the Cardinals needed to learn about Murray this season.  To learn it after just one game should exceed everyone’s expectations. 

Murray’s final numbers don’t tell the full story of what he was able to accomplish.  Lots of quarterbacks can manage to go 29 of 54 for 308 yards and two touchdowns against a defense of Detroit’s caliber.  The important takeaway for Kliff Kingsbury and his coaching staff was the way Murray was able to rally his offensive troops and lead them to a terrific comeback.  It’s not an exaggeration to say that he took over the game during the fourth quarter. 

That special quality to transform a game should keep the Cardinals interesting this season.  That’s really all their fans should hope for.  The franchise had the No.  1 pick in the draft for a reason.  Their roster still needs a major infusion of talent before it can even consider being a legitimate playoff contender.  Even if Murray plays well enough to run away with this year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award the Cardinals could easily find themselves limping to a final win total of four or five. 

The fact that the Cardinals know they have a future franchise quarterback in Murray gives the entire franchise a reason to have hope in the future.  It’s the most important position on the field and it’s clear that Arizona have a potential star on their hands.  Murray has a lot to learn, but his innate quality to make plays was on full display against Detroit.  His display of that quality in his first game is the most important thing Murray could do for the Cardinals on Sunday.