TEMPE -- Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon met with reporters today at the team facility in Tempe - alongside his coordinators - for nearly 30 minutes to discuss a handful of topics, ranging from the NFL Draft to Arizona's tampering of him following the NFC title game.
One of the issues he touched on was the relationship status of franchise quarterback Kyler Murray and right tackle Kelvin Beachum.
For those out of the loop: Beachum made some fairly critical comments on Murray in the offseason regarding his maturity.
"I didn't say he lacks the leadership, I just think he needs to grow up a little bit," Beachum said. "I think if he has the ability and willingness to grow up, he's gonna be just fine. They paid him for a reason. They paid him because of his talent. He has the ability to lead - it's just when you're in that position, we need you to lead more."
He then later doubled down by saying:
"I didn't say it in a - I didn't think it was in a malicious way but you know how it is. Free agency, you got some sound bites. … And I would love to see him do more, because he has the ability to do so and he has the keys to the franchise. He's a leader in that regard. They paid him to be a leader, and I want to see that. So I would say the same thing to him that I've said publicly: Grow up, let's find a way to galvanize and find a way to do this thing together."
Murray hasn't (publicly) responded, but there was undoubtedly some tension between the two, something that no longer exists according to Gannon - who said he spoke to both players about the situation.
Mike Giardi reported on now rookie offensive lineman's Paris Johnson's visit with the Cardinals, Murray asked Johnson if he could play right tackle, the spot Beachum currently occupies.
At least on the surface, things have been ironed out between the two sides.
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