Kyler Murray Has Accomplished Something No Other NFL Quarterback Has Ever Done
Kyler Murray is quickly silencing his critics. When the Arizona Cardinals selected Murray with the top pick in the 2019 NFL draft, there were doubts about the 5-foot-10 quarterback being able to live up to the expectations of being a No. 1 pick. Murray is quickly erasing all doubts.
Kyler Murray fitting in well with the Arizona Cardinals
There is no questioning of Kyler Murray’s athleticism. Not only was Murray taken with the first pick in the 2019 NFL draft, but he was also a first-round pick in the MLB draft in 2018. He was selected ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics. Murray is the first player to ever be drafted in the first round in both sports.
The only question about Murray was his size. Was the 5-foot-10 Murray big enough to play quarterback in the NFL? He’s answered those questions. Last season, Murray was thrown into the fire, starting all 16 games for the Cardinals. Despite the team’s 5-10-1 record with him under center, Murray showed he can play with the big boys.
Murray finished the 2018 season with 3,722 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. He threw 12 interceptions. Murray showed he’s also a threat with his legs as he rushed for 544 yards and four touchdowns. This season, Murray has the Cardinals off to a 2-0 start and already has two passing touchdowns and three rushing scores.
Kyler Murray voted a captain for 2020
Kyler Murray appears much more comfortable in his role with the Arizona Cardinals. His teammates apparently feel that was as well. The Cardinals voted Murray as a captain this year and the quarterback is taking on the leadership role.
“He’s a lot more open,” wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said, according to ESPN. “I think he’s a lot more comfortable in his role, and I think that was validated when his teammates voted him as a captain. He has done a great job of not just being a leader and letting his voice be heard. I’m really happy in the direction he’s going.”
Running back Chase Edmonds said he noticed Murray getting more vocal this season. “He’s going to grow with that as he gets older and as he gets more games under his belt and more wins under his belt,” Edmonds said. “It’s good to see that in the early stages right now.”
Murray has accomplished something no other QB has done
Just two games into the 2020 season and Kyler Murray has already accomplished something no other quarterback has ever done in the NFL. While he has led the Cardinals to win in their first two games, he has also become the first quarterback to ever throw for 500 yards and rush for over 150 yards in the first two weeks.
In an upset victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, Murray threw for 230 yards and a touchdown. He was also the game’s leading rusher with 91 yards and a score. In Week 2, Murray threw for 286 yards and a touchdown, while running for 67 yards and two scores.
Murray is growing as a leader and his confidence is also growing. “As soon as I leave the pocket, I survey the field,” Murray said after Sunday’s win over Washington, according to ESPN. “Seeing how the blocks were set up, they were set up pretty perfectly. Once I get a guy one-on-one, I like my chances.”
