Raiders Defensive Coordinator On How Team Plans To Contain Kyler Murray

In the NFL, there isn’t a lot of time to dwell on the past. Especially if the next game features one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks.

When Las Vegas Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham spoke to the media Tuesday, he was asked about containing Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

In the Cardinals’ Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Murray threw for two touchdowns but didn’t cross 200 yards passing. His legs didn’t carry him far either, only rushing for 29 yards. Despite the mediocre day from Murray, there’s always the opportunity he can go off. Something that wasn’t as big a factor in the game against the Chargers.

“The big this is about affecting the passer and this week, we have a challenge,” Graham said. “Everybody’s going to play a part in containing him [Kyler] because he’s so dynamic. Whether it’s the designed plays for him to get out in space or the loose plays, he’s a real problem.”

During the offseason, the league suspended DeAndre Hopkins for the first six games for violating their performance-enhancing policy. Graham said Kyler Murray and the Cardinals still have a lot of weapons who can score.

“If Hopkins was there, it would be a little bit different,” Graham said. “With a quarterback like Murray, he knows how to get the ball in the playmakers’ hands, so we just have to focus on making sure we’re defending their scheme, make sure we’re trying to take away their best players, and see what happens from there. Anytime a player’s out, it changes the game plan a little bit, but we have to make that adjustment all the time.”

🔴🎥 Live: Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham and Offensive Coordinator Mick Lombardi address the media from the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center. https://t.co/Fa2t39SOu7

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 13, 2022

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