In August of 2024, Kyler Murray took the podium for a pre-season press conference. Leading up to this moment, there had been tremendous criticism of the 5’10” quarterback from Oklahoma. Despite having been the starter for five years, Murray had only taken the Cardinals to the postseason once. To make matters even more pressing, the past two seasons the team was unable to eclipse more than four wins. In that two-year span, Murray only played half of his games due to various injuries, a torn ACL in 2022 among them. At this moment, the reality of the situation was clear. Like so many cases before, a highly touted quarterback, drafted to save the franchise, was unable to live up to expectations. Whether due to injuries, inconsistency at HC or OC, or lack of a supporting cast, the blame always falls on the player. In this particular situation, with frustration within the organization seemingly reaching a boiling point, Murray’s commitment to the game was questioned (both indirectly with the institution of the “Homework Clause” and directly through statements within the organization). This questioning hit close to home for Murray. As a person who has spent his entire life committed to the game, someone who defied the odds of making it as an undersized Black quarterback, the notion that he ‘doesn’t care’ is something that stung. In response to these comments, the typically impassive player reacted with uncharacteristic emotion.

 

“To think that I can accomplish everything that I’ve accomplished in my career, and not be a student of the game, and not have that passion, and not take this seriously… is disrespectful. It’s almost a joke… I don’t talk about myself, but today I feel like I have to… to go 43-0 in high school... no one has ever done it before… go to college and win the Heisman… get drafted number one to the NFL and number nine to the MLB… again, no one's ever done it. Offensive Rookie of the Year… 2-time Pro Bowler. I’m not 6’7 230, I don’t throw the ball 85 yards… I'm already behind the 8 ball… I can’t afford to take any short-cuts”.

 

While it is technically possible that a 5’10” Black quarterback achieved all of these accolades as a result of luck and G-d-given talent, it seems much more likely that he was justified in his emotional response to the accusations that he ‘didn’t work hard’ to achieve all that he has. What also seems likely is that instability at the head coaching position and inconsistency from the play of his teammates contributed to a more negative impact on Murray’s success rather than a positive one.

This is the most common story we see in the NFL. It is also one of the most tragic. An amazing young talent gets taken high in the draft with the belief of an entire organization and fanbase that he can be the savior of the franchise. With this high draft capital invested in this singular player, the pressure is tremendous for the team to start him immediately. The issue, one that is more often than not the cause of these players’ lack of success, is that there is a great deficit in supporting talent. The teams that get to pick first in the draft get to pick early for a reason. When a player is immediately thrown into action with a lack of a legitimate O-line, receiving corps, defense, and, in many cases, head coach/offensive coordinator, the success that they are able to enjoy is limited. The bottom line is that just because a player was in a bad situation does not mean he is a bad player. This has been proven again and again, especially in recent years. Players like Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones have proven that a change of scenery is sometimes all that it takes.

 

It seems a guarantee that Kyler Murray will not be an exception. It is impossible that a player who has had the success that he has had can’t be a great player in the NFL, given the right circumstances. If there was any place to land for Kyler Murray, Minnesota was the best fit. Apart from sporting the best WR in the league in Justin Jefferson, along with other great offensive weapons, a serviceable O-line and a top five defense, the Vikings employ Kevin O’Connell. The 2024 Coach of the Year’s track record in developing QB talent is unblemished (the jury is still out on JJ McCarthy, but all signs indicate that KOC’s record will remain perfect). O’Connell has proven that if you’re willing to work for it, he’ll help you get to where you need to go. By merit of even just one of the accolades that he listed in August of 2024, Kyler Murray has proven that he, despite his stature and the prejudice against the color of his skin, will work as hard as necessary.

 

In what is likely to be a one-year stop for the Oklahoma product, the Vikings will turn Kyler Murray into the next Sam Darnold. The 2018 Heisman Award winner has arrived at the perfect destination and has a chance to go on the free agency market in 2027 as a Super Bowl champion.