Kyler Murray has his critics, but ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky is not one of them. In fact, on First Take Thursday morning, Orlovsky ranked Murray as the fourth-best NFL quarterback over the season’s first three weeks.
“You could make the case that Kyler Murray is in the running for the MVP right now,” said Orlovsky, who ranked Josh Allen No. 1, Aaron Rodgers No. 2 and Sam Darnold No. 3.
Unlike Allen (3-0), Rodgers (2-1) and Darnold (3-0), Murray and his team (1-2) don’t have a winning record as they enter Sunday’s game against upstart Washington (2-1) at State Farm Stadium (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX).
However, over his last 11 starts since returning from a torn ACL, Murray has been consistent and efficient, compiling a 93.1 passer rating with 15 touchdown passes and six interceptions. Orlovsky doesn’t blame him for the Week 3 setback against Detroit, either.
The analyst also loves the connection Murray has established with rookie Marvin Harrison, who ranks fourth in the NFL with a 19.8 yards-per-catch average. Among rookies, Harrison is second with 10 catches and 198 yards, trailing Malik Nabers in both categories.
But Murray’s ability to move the chains with his legs, similar to the electric quarterback he’ll face on Sunday, is what excites Orlovsky the most.
“Kyler looks like the Kyler at Oklahoma where you were like, ‘Hey, man, this cat should be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft,’ which he was,” Orlovsky said. “Kyler Murray has the Cardinals contending into the playoffs.”
Playoffs are 15 weeks away but Sunday’s late-afternoon game might be a postseason preview, featuring two of the game’s most exciting dual-threat quarterbacks. Only Lamar Jackson (254) has more rushing yards this season than Daniels (171) and Murray (161) among quarterbacks.