It was the dawn of a new era in Arizona football. One minute, Josh Rosen was supposed to lead the Cardinals to glory. The next, he was riding the bench. What happened? Welcome to the tale of two rookies, one draft pick apart, one changing the game. Let’s rewind and break down the wild ride from Rosen to Kyler.
Josh Rosen’s Rocky Start
Back in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals drafted Josh Rosen with the 10th overall pick. He came out of UCLA with a big arm and a lot of hype. But things didn’t go as planned.
- The Cardinals went 3-13 in his rookie season.
- Rosen threw 11 touchdowns… and 14 interceptions.
- He was sacked a whopping 45 times!
Ouch, right? The team struggled all around, and Rosen never found his rhythm. But was it all his fault? Not really. The offensive line was shaky. The coaching wasn’t stable. Still, the NFL is not known for being patient.
Fans were frustrated. Coaches were looking for solutions. And the front office wanted a star.
Enter Kyler Murray – A New Hope
In 2019, with the number one overall pick, Arizona made a bold move. They drafted Kyler Murray, a two-sport superstar from Oklahoma. He could play baseball and football. Fast. Smart. Confident. And short… at least by QB standards.
But what he lacked in height, he made up for in firepower.
Kyler came in like thunder. He had quick feet and a cannon arm. He made defenders miss and lit up the scoreboard.
- Threw for 3,722 yards in his rookie season.
- Ran for over 500 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.
- Won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Fans loved him. Coaches built the team around him. Suddenly, the Cardinals had energy again. They had hope.
What Happened to Josh?
Well, poor Josh didn’t even make it to Year 2 in Arizona. Right after picking Kyler, the Cardinals traded Josh Rosen to the Miami Dolphins. Just like that.
It seemed harsh. One year and done. A raw deal? Maybe. But the NFL is all about winning. Kyler was the better fit. The better spark. And Rosen, unfortunately, became yesterday’s news.
Since then, Rosen has bounced around the league. He’s been on several practice squads. Many expected him to thrive. But sometimes, talent needs the right place, the right time, and maybe… a little luck.
Kyler’s Star Keeps Rising
Meanwhile, Kyler just keeps getting better. He’s now a Pro Bowl quarterback. He’s led the Cardinals to the playoffs. And he’s quickly earned a reputation as one of the most exciting players to watch on Sundays.
He zips past linebackers. He throws lasers downfield. He leaves crowds gasping.
Sure, he still has things to work on. Consistency. Turnovers. Staying healthy. But he’s clearly the franchise guy. Cardinals fans? They’re grateful their team took the chance.
A Lesson in the League
This story is more than just Rosen vs. Murray. It’s a rookie tale about expectations and second chances. About how fast things change in the NFL. One year, you’re the face of the franchise. The next, you’re holding a clipboard.
But hey, that’s football.
Final Thoughts
Josh Rosen may still write a comeback story. He has the tools. He’s only in his 20s. But for now, Kyler Murray is Arizona’s shining star. And his rookie year was the spark that lit the desert on fire.
The Cardinals rolled the dice—and it paid off, big time.
From benched to crowned, this is one NFL rookie story fans won’t soon forget.