Arizona started the season 2-0 and looked good. But fast forward to now, and it’s two straight losses, including a 23-20 fall to the Seahawks. And star QB Kyler Murray was also off for most of the night. Now, fans and analysts are wondering if the Cardinals still have their guy under center. One of those voices belongs to Colin Cowherd.

“I feel like sometimes he feels detached. I don’t feel like he’s obsessed with football, but I don’t know him well enough to have strong opinions,” Cowherd said. Yet, in the same breath, he showed respect. “I will defend his talent forever.” That push and pull is exactly the dilemma facing the Cardinals—an undeniable skill set, but questions about the fire to lead.

Cowherd didn’t stop there. He compared Murray to others around the league. He stressed Baker Mayfield thrives in tight games. Tom Brady, even late in New England, stayed sharp in crunch time. Sam Darnold has started stacking wins in close ones. Dak Prescott, too, has been reliable through the years. “Why is he so bad in close games?” Cowherd asked. He went further, wondering if Murray is truly a unifier, noting how “if he’s not playing well, I feel like he just shuts it down.” That was his biggest concern, and that’s why he questioned whether Jonathan Gannon should eventually move on.

The numbers back up the criticism. Through three quarters in Seattle, Arizona was down 17-6. The offense stumbled to just 138 yards on 44 plays, barely moving at 3.1 yards per snap. They went 3-for-11 on third down with only 10 first downs total. NFL insider Albert Breer summed it up: “Kyler Murray is bailing out of the back of the pocket WAY too much tonight. Protection hasn’t been great, but he’s not helping his linemen or receivers.”

Murray ended 22 of 35 for 213 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Respectable numbers at a glance, but not for a franchise QB. Kyler Murray knows the truth—he’s struggling. And he knows it too.

Kyler Murray opens up about offensive struggles

Despite having weapons like Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals rank near the bottom of the league in yards per game and points per game. Even some of those points came from the defense, not the offense. For a team aiming at the playoffs, that’s not the start fans in the Valley of the Sun expected.

Murray didn’t sugarcoat it after their latest game. He admitted that one good series doesn’t define an offense. He pointed out how they wasted chances after big defensive plays, going three-and-out or failing to close when the defense gave them an edge. That, he said, stings the most—feeling like the team should have walked away with a win but leaving plays on the field. “I don’t think one series means you’re playing good offensive football. I think in totality we have to play better complementary football,” Murray said.

He also highlighted the bigger issue: consistency. The defense has been holding up, but the offense hasn’t matched the energy. Murray said simply, “We have to make the plays when they’re there.” And right now, the receivers are under heavy fire. Further, in the Cardinals’ 23-20 loss to Seattle, 16 players participated in at least one of the 67 offensive snaps.

Still, Murray insists he’s keeping faith. He said he talks to his receivers every day, trying to build confidence and keep opportunities alive. The talent is there, the scheme is there, but the execution is missing. So next week they have to change that.