The feature film won't debut until the regular season opener on Sept. 8 against the Lions, but there's nothing wrong with a good trailer to build the intrigue.
Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray put his elite skillset on display in the Cardinals' preseason opener against the Chargers on Thursday night, completing 6-of-7 passes for 44 yards in a 17-13 win.
The No. 1 overall pick in the draft showed off his mobility and arm talent in limited action, looking at ease in his first career NFL game.
"It's natural as a rookie to have expectations, how is it going to be, over-think it," Murray said. "For me, I was just going out there being myself, like always. Trust in my abilities, trust in what Coach calls, and just trying to go out there and execute what he calls. It was fun."
Opposing defenses will get more exotic when the regular season begins, and that will be an important hurdle for Murray to clear, but he showed the physical tools the Cardinals' brass fell in love with during the pre-draft process.
It's uncommon for a dual-threat quarterback to throw with pinpoint accuracy, and Murray did so routinely against the Chargers.
"To have that dynamic running ability, and you pair it with very accurate throwing ability, it's rare," Kingsbury said. "He did a nice job tonight of putting it on the money."
Murray's lone series began at the Arizona 2 following a fumble recovery by linebacker Jordan Hicks. It didn't end in points, though that was no fault of his own.
The Cardinals were called for a pair of penalties on the drive, including an illegal touch by wideout KeeSean Johnson, who went out of bounds before catching Murray's seventh throw of the night.
It went down as Murray's lone incompletion and resulted in a loss of down. Murray was sacked on the next play, which forced a punt. Kingsbury said there was a miscommunication that led to quick pressure, causing Murray to dive to the ground before getting hit.
He spent the rest of the game on the sidelines.
"I wanted to score," Murray said. "I wanted to go back in. … I was itching for more."
The Cardinals' first-team defense played one series. It allowed the Chargers to easily march down the field until Hicks saved the day by stripping running back Austin Ekeler and recovering the fumble himself.
"They hit some runs on us we'd obviously like to have back, but I'll have to evaluate the film and see what went wrong on those plays," Kingsbury said.
The Chargers scored first on a 4-yard touchdown run by Justin Jackson early in the second quarter. The Cardinals knotted the game on a 22-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Brett Hundley to wide receiver Trent Sherfield right before halftime.
Zane Gonzalez gave the Cardinals a 10-7 lead by nailing a 55-yard field goal with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter and running back Wes Hills pushed it to 10 with a 7-yard touchdown run early in the fourth. The Chargers cut the deficit to one possession on a 32-yard touchdown run by quarterback Easton Stick but the Cardinals held on for Kingsbury's first NFL coaching victory.
"Winning always means something," Kingsbury said. "If you're a competitor, you'd rather win than lose."
Sherfield had four catches for 44 yards and the score along with a special teams tackle, bolstering his case to make the team.
Outside linebacker Pete Robertson had two tackles and a sack. He returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter but the play was overturned on review. Rookie safety Tyler Sigler had a fourth-quarter interception.
While there were other bright spots, the postgame focus was on Murray. The true measure will come one month from now, but the early returns are promising.
"It wasn't too fast," Murray said. "I know it's not the regular season yet, but I felt pretty relaxed, pretty comfortable."
Images from Thursday night's exhibition contest at State Farm Stadium
ILB Jordan Hicks (58) forces and recovers a fumble
WR Trent Sherfield hauls in a touchdown in the second quarter
QB Kyler Murray throws a pass in the first quarter
WR Trent Sherfield celebrates his touchdown catch
OLB Pete Robertson gets a sack
QB Brett Hundley throws downfield
RB David Johnson before the game
WR Trent Sherfield makes a special teams tackle
WR Larry Fitzgerald before the game
QB Kyler Murray
QB Kyler Murray escapes pressure
QB Kyler Murray smiles on the sideline
QB Kyler Murray before the game
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, center, warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kilff Kingsbury, left, greets Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn prior an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) takes the field prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) takes the field prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks with quarterback Kyler Murray prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley (7) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Chris Peace (40) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to throw against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson (22) runs in for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Deatrick Nichols (28) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) runs a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, left is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Desmond King (20), Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Desmond King, rear, and Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Kyzir White, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) lines up against Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Rudy Ford, left, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes the catch as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Adrian Phillips, defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (23) and defensive back Brandon Facyson (28) defend during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley (7) throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Chris Peace (40) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks with field judge Tom Hill (97) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones, left, is hit by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Pete Robertson during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates wide receiver Damiere Byrd scored a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyler Sigler (39) celebrates his interception against the Los Angeles Chargers with Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyler Sigler (39) runs back an interception as Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jordan Smallwood (9) pursues during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) runs in for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson (38) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson (19) is hit by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Brandon Facyson during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
