Rob Issa, FISM News
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Kyler Murray is taking verbal shots from a former teammate. Russell Wilson is taking the blame from anonymous sources. Aaron Rodgers is battling injuries, losses, and chances his young backup might supplant him.
In other words, there’s a lot of quarterback drama in the NFL this week.
Murray, who has played poorly for the Arizona Cardinals this year, was called out by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson, who played for the Cardinals during Murray’s first two seasons with the team in 2019 and 2020.
On his “All Things Covered” podcast, Peterson said: “Kyler Murray don’t care about nobody but Kyler Murray.”
Murray fired back on Twitter, saying “if you really felt like this as a ‘big bro’ or ‘mentor’ you supposed to call me and tell me, not drag me so your podcast can grow…”
Murray, the No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2019, was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year that season and made the Pro Bowl each of the past two years. But he’s struggled this season after signing a $230.5 million, five-year contract in July, and the Cardinals are 4-8.
Russell Wilson’s mile-high struggles continue
Wilson is also having the worst season of his career in his first year with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are 3-8 and only averaging 14.2 points per game on offense.
A report on an NFL Network podcast said Wilson had “lost” some members of the locker room.
However, some teammates quickly defended Wilson.
“I’ll say this: I’ll say Russ is an amazing leader,” safety Justin Simmons said. “He’s an amazing teammate and … I know it’s a quarterback-driven league, but leadership never falls under one guy.”
Guard Dalton Risner said the report is not true.
“I know that I know who Russell is. I respect him so much. I respect the way he integrates within our locker room,” Risner said.
And I feel all year he hasn’t been able to catch a break. I feel like all year people are just making up rumors about him, whether that be he’s not a good teammate or he’s lost the locker room, apparently, or whatever the heck it is. A lot of it is just so outlandish to me because I get to see him work every day. I get to see how much he cares about the guys in the locker room. And the devotion he has to this game. And the attitude he brings to practice every day. And the attitude he brings to the football field.
Green Bay getting icy for Rodgers
Even two-time reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers is having a subpar season. The Green Bay Packers are only 4-8 and Rodgers didn’t finish last Sunday’s game because of injured ribs. He’s already played with a broken thumb.
“I’d love to finish the season out, but I understand this is a business and there’s a lot of us kind of older guys who play a decent amount and they might want to see some younger guys play,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “Hopefully we don’t have to have that conversation. But if that conversation comes up, I’ll approach that with an open mind and without any bitterness or resentment.”
Backup Jordan Love filled in nicely after Rodgers got hurt against Philadelphia, going 6-of-9 for 113 yards with a 63-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson. The Packers may want to take a long look at Love once they’re officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Rodgers, who turns 39 Friday, is under contract for two more seasons and the Packers owe him $110 million over that span.
“Obviously, like I said, I want to win out and we don’t have to have those conversations,” Rodgers said about not playing the rest of this season. “I understand if we don’t, that’s a possibility to have that conversation.”
Even if the Packers win their last five games, they’re a long shot to make the playoffs.