Entering his seventh season with the Cardinals, Kyler Murray is still facing plenty of questions over his play from rival coaches and executives around the league.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando polled 50 NFL coaches and executives, who placed NFL quarterbacks into five tiers heading into the 2025 season.
Murray ranked as the No. 15 signal caller overall and was the first member of the third tier. Murray was just behind San Francisco’s Brock Purdy and just ahead Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers in the poll.
Murray has placed in the third tier each of the past three seasons. In 2021 and 2022, Murray placed as high as the second tier.
As for why Murray was in the third tier again, most of the criticism stemmed from doubt over his ability to win close games. One defensive coach questioned Murray’s late-game performances, saying Murray lacks command of the two-minute drill.
“I’ve played him too much, and I still think he’s a 3. I don’t think he wins it for you in the two-minute drill. If you want to be in the top half of this league, you have to win in the two-minute drill and control it. He does not do that.”
An anonymous NFL executive added that he questions Murray’s commitment and end-of-season performances.
“I still don’t trust him,” a GM said. “He has 2 talent but is still a 3 to me. Is he committed to it? He always tends to tail off as the season goes on.”
Murray’s passer rating (93.5) ranked 16th in the NFL in 2024. He finished with an identical passer rating as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
In addition, Murray’s passer rating climbed each of the past two seasons from 89.4 in 2023 and 87.2 in 2022.
One defensive coordinator said he liked how Murray is turning the ball over less. While Murray’s interception numbers have remained relatively consistent throughout his career, Murray had five fumbles in 17 games last season after having five across eight games in 2023.
“I think he grew a lot last year. He was a problem for sure when we played him. He cut down turnovers, used his legs a lot more, came into his own after the injury.”
In 2024, Murray totaled 3,851 passing yards, 26 total touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 68.8% completion percentage. He added 572 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 78 carries.
Who voted on the NFL quarterback tiers?
The roles of the 50 NFL employees polled by Sando included six general managers, six assistant GMs, six former general managers, five other executives, eight head coaches and 19 other assistants, including 15 coordinators.