One big question being asked these days by many fans and NFL watchers is whether Kyler Murray an overrated or underrated quarterback? Arguments, and good ones, can be made on both sides, but one thing remains clear, not being on the field to solidify either position helps each argument.
Cardinals fans are often the first to cite Murray’s off the hook athleticism and potential to make a huge play. The fact is, he is an absolute freak on the field. But his critics, and there are many, offer a starker yet completely fair assessment.
A statistical analysis of NFL Quarterback Kyler Murray's performance shows that he plays worse when there's active Double XP weekends happening in Call of Duty. There were rumors stating that they he played a lot of Call of Duty, even during the season. https://t.co/47sI8lwN8u pic.twitter.com/PcBMs33RcY
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) August 2, 2022
His lack of success in the postseason and off field issues like a love of gaming, have shown an immaturity hard to overlook.
Since 2019 Murray has had two solid seasons. In 2020, Murray completed over 67% of his passes while throwing a career-high 26 touchdowns. He also rushed for 819 yards, getting into the end zone 11 times. In 2021, he topped 3,700 passing yards, had a passer rating over 100, and led the Cardinals to the playoffs. Those two seasons led Arizona to make a disastrous decision and pony up a five-year, $230.5 million contract. The deal included over $103 million in guarantees at signing. In terms of Murray’s average annual salary, he ranks fifth among quarterbacks.
Murray is a good but not great quarterback. As of 2023, he has yet to post a 4,000-yard season throwing the football. Murray was 14th in the NFL in passing yards, while being 12th in passing touchdowns in his last full season. Most troubling is that he is six games under .500 as a starter. In his one playoff start, Murray was an absolute disaster.
Is Kyler Murray Overrated or Underrated?
At some point in 2023, Murray will be back on the football field and under center for the Cardinals. Rumors are rampant that Arizona could put him on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list which automatically keeps him out for six weeks. For Murray, it is no secret he is pushing to play sooner. Perhaps because he is feeling the heat from his understudy, or maybe he knows this season needs to have positive results.
It is no secret the Cardinals are in the midst of a huge rebuild, and there are two major quarterback prospects expected to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. Arizona could be in line for one or the other, and for this reason alone, Murray wants to get out on the field and perform.
But what is it that makes Murray a quarterback who some believe to be underrated? Is it because he was with a coach who couldn’t find the right combination for his Heisman winning QB? Is it a lack of personnel at key positions on the offense? Or, as some would say, maybe it was all bad luck. Murray still has a big arm, and depending on how his ACL injury plays out, has lightning-fast speed. However, in the NFL, that is never enough.
Murray is still young, but his expiration date is not somewhere off in the future, it’s staring him in the face and remaining in Arizona is no given. Murray is capable but needs to deliver, if not he will be elsewhere in 2024. However, he could have a good year and the result remains the same.
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