Steve Smith Sr. is never one to mince words.
A former wide receiver himself, Smith was among 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. So, as a two-time All-Pro (2001, ’05), Smith sees it as a civic duty as a former player and as an analyst to criticize the position when he sees fit.
We already know he harbors a feud with Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, which dates back to the Alabama product’s Denver days. So Smith isn’t above getting into the mud when needed, and he got down and got dirty with Kyler Murray on Saturday night.
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback threw a game-losing interception in a 13-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where he had his team in striking position. With 42 seconds left, Murray tried to find his tight end, Trey McBride, for his second touchdown of the game and the season.
Instead, Murray threw the ball a little too “hot” on an out route in the end zone and was promptly intercepted by Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon off the deflection.
“Murray’s gonna throw it. To the end zone. UP IN THE AIR. AND INTERCEPTED.
“Ahkello Witherspoon SAVES THE DAY.”
Rich Eisen on the call for Ahkello Witherspoon’s game-clinching interception.pic.twitter.com/mkCDGJZqba
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 29, 2024
“Kyler Murray, my man, in the end zone, you have your tight end [in a] condensed formation,” Smith said. “You have a clear route; he has an in, he can’t rush it — he must take his time. Takes his time, sets up the route, goes outside — and you throw the football five yards away with so much hot sauce on it… it was no point of it.
“And then you put your tight end, your prolific, potentially Pro Bowl tight end, now, you make him feel like it’s up to him; he let the team down. And collectively, they should’ve played better from start to finish.”
Steve Smith Sr. didn’t exactly mince words regarding Kyler Murray’s game-losing interception. pic.twitter.com/KPPGwls8a8
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 29, 2024
Already eliminated from playoff contention, Murray’s costly error wasn’t just a bad throw, it was a missed chance to not only play spoiler, but prove he can lead when it matters most. And that’s something even Steve Smith Sr. won’t sugarcoat.
[NFL Network]
