Kyler Murray embarked on his NFL journey with high expectations from the start. He entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a Heisman Trophy winner out of the University of Oklahoma.
Last season with the Arizona Cardinals, Murray showcased a mixed bag of performances. With a quarterback rating (QBR) of 51.5, he secured the 19th spot among his fellow quarterbacks. Murray racked up 2,368 passing yards along with 14 touchdowns with a completion rate of 66.4 percent, offset by seven interceptions. His dynamic presence extended beyond passing, amassing 418 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
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However, the season took a turn in Week 14 when he suffered a setback. Murray tore his ACL, sidelining him for the remainder of the season and leaving an uncertain return date heading into this year.
When healthy, Murray has showcased his capability as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He presents a versatile skill set that combines his accurate arm with his explosive mobility on the field.
The pressing question is: How does Murray measure up among the league’s starters? The Cardinals might need to ask themselves this question as they evaluate whether Murray should continue being their franchise quarterback.
Where Does Kyler Murray Rank Amongst NFL Quarterbacks?
Superstar Tier
- No. 1 – Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
- No. 2 – Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
- No. 3 – Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
- No. 4 – Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
- No. 5 – Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
With these players leading the way in the “Superstar Tier,” any team fortunate enough to have them as quarterbacks has a significant advantage at the league’s most important position.
Their exceptional skills and on-field prowess significantly increase the chances of a Super Bowl appearance. As a result, this talented group of quarterbacks enhances their team’s overall performance, making them strong contenders.
The good news for Cardinals fans? Four of five of them are in the AFC.
Star Tier
- No. 6 – Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
- No. 7 – Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
- No. 8 – Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
The “Star Tier” features three quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, and Trevor Lawrence. Rodgers, once a superstar himself, is known for his proven track record. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence are emerging talents with promising futures ahead.
This tier combines the experience and excellence of Rodgers with the potential of Herbert and Lawrence, who are expected to continue developing and contributing to their teams in the coming years.
Now that Rodgers is on the New York Jets, seven out of the top eight quarterbacks from this list are in the AFC.
Solid Starter Tier
- No. 10 – Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
- No. 11 – Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
- No. 12 – Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
- No. 13 – Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
- No. 14 – Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
- No. 15 – Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
- No. 16 – Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Murray comes in as a league-average quarterback. Ahead of serviceable quarterbacks in the next tier, including Ryan Tannehill, Deshaun Watson, and Geno Smith.
The “Solid Starter Tier” of quarterbacks has demonstrated that achieving success at the highest level is possible, as evidenced by Matthew Stafford’s 2022 Super Bowl victory with the Rams.
This tier of quarterbacks can lead their teams to significant accomplishments, supported by a strong team structure, including a solid defense and effective offensive weapons. Stafford’s journey to the Super Bowl illustrates that with the right pieces in place, quarterbacks from this tier can contend with the best of them.
Murray is arguably more talented than other players in his tier. But, he is sometimes limited due to his decision-making. He has the skill set and athleticism of a dual-threat quarterback. But he makes too many mistakes and needs to prove capable of leading his team to playoff success.
Another significant contributing factor to this situation is also the Cardinals need more talent on their roster. With any luck, the timelines will align as Kyler attains full health and refines his role as a game manager, coinciding with Arizona’s roster improvements primarily through the draft.
Due to his age (26) and dual-threat upside, Murray is also one of the most likely quarterbacks in this tier to become a star in the future.
Cardinals Massive Looming Decision
The Cardinals will have a big decision to make next offseason regarding whether or not they believe Kyler can make that next jump. They will likely have two very high draft picks (their own and Houston’s) in the 2024 NFL Draft. As a result, Arizona may have to decide whether to continue building around Murray as the franchise quarterback. The alternative option would be to restart the process in an incoming draft class that is loaded with quarterback prospects.
Murray will have to prove that he is a borderline top-ten quarterback capable of making a deep playoff run if the right pieces are around him in the future.
ALSO READ: 2023 Arizona Cardinals Game by Game Predictions
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