Murray, Kingsbury shrug off heated TNF exchange

Warning: Video contains coarse language

Despite the Arizona Cardinals finally clicking into gear during a 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, quarterback Kyler Murray and coach Kliff Kingsbury continued to butt heads.

Cameras caught Murray repeatedly yelling for Kingsbury to "calm the f--- down" after Arizona was forced to call a timeout ahead of a red-zone play in the second quarter. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins stepped in to help ease tensions.

The Cardinals were trailing 14-6 at the time. However, the offense regrouped after the timeout to tie the game, and the defense stepped up with back-to-back pick-6s before the half to give the NFC West club a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

"The clock was running down and we couldn't have got off the play that we were trying to run," Murray said, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "So, it was, I guess it's my fault. I'll take it."

He added, "We're good. We're going to make it right. We ended up scoring so that was good. But, yeah, that's all I was saying, just chill out."

Kingsbury also downplayed the exchange.

"He said I didn't look good on TV acting that fiery," Kingsbury said. "I don't know, guess it's a Gen Z thing. 'You're on TV so calm down.'

"I like showing emotion."

Murray and Kingsbury have seemingly struggled to develop chemistry throughout their time together in Arizona, and their issues have become more apparent during an up-and-down start to the campaign.

The quarterback, who signed a five-year, $230.5-million extension this offseason, has seen his production dip significantly through seven games. He is averaging 238 passing yards per contest compared to 270 yards last season, and his touchdown percentage sits at 2.5% after a career-high 5% in 2021.