Murray says running ability make difference in games
Kyler Murray knows his running ability will make a difference when it’s time to play games
On Tuesday, the Vikings named quarterback Kyler Murray the starting quarterback for 2026. After the decision was announced, Murray spoke to reporters.
One thing that stands out may be the one thing that made a difference when making him the starter — his ability to make plays with his legs.
“I think, you know, as far as my ability to move around, stuff like that, it’s tough to emulate that stuff on the practice field, when bullets aren’t really flying and there’s no referees out here to be able to say if we were sacked or not,” Murray said. “But I think when we get out there, you know, come game time, I think that stuff just happens for me. That stuff just happens, you know, trying to premeditate what I’m gonna do or anything like that. But I definitely think that’s an ability of mine that, you know, is a special one.”
Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown previously addressed that dynamic. The Vikings have been trying to get him up to speed as to running the new offense. His instinctive and uncanny ability to run the ball will make everything in the passing game easier.
Defenses will have to account for that. And it could make them hesitant in coverage, which could help receivers get open.
Regardless, the Vikings have made their decision. Coach Kevin O’Connell said during the offseason that, once they name a starter, they plan to stick with him all year.
In the two years the Vikings have gone to the playoffs under O’Connell, they had the same quarterback all year. In the two years they didn’t, they had a revolving door.
And so it’s Murray moving forward. He’ll be able to keep learning the offense. And he’ll be in a position to pull the ball down and Road Runner away from the 11 Wile E. Coyotes who won’t be able to catch him.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
No doubt that his escapability and mobility will truly manifest itself at its best in live game action. It’s a dynamic that probably only Caleb Williams can match honestly. Would love to see him snatch victory from the Jaws of defeat at the end of some games with this dynamic.
StickierBuns wrote:
No doubt that his escapability and mobility will truly manifest itself at its best in live game action. It’s a dynamic that probably only Caleb Williams can match honestly. Would love to see him snatch victory from the Jaws of defeat at the end of some games with this dynamic.
Which he hasn't proven he can do
Canthony wrote:
Which he hasn't proven he can do
Always a first time, and maybe he will prove he can do that with a better surround and a better head, coach and defense.
Justin Jefferson right now https://t.co/9X3m6jz7vU pic.twitter.com/5tdoKv18Ru
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 11, 2026
Mattyman wrote:
Behind a 6'7 325lb? center, that can pass block, I think Murray will gouge defenses every time he feels like it
All I think when I hear kyler Murray behind a 6'7 center is.... fuck! Another year of concussions for our starting center ( from getting drilled in the back of the head by Murray's fast ball while trying to throw from the pocket)
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
StickierBuns wrote:
Always a first time, and maybe he will prove he can do that with a better surround and a better head, coach and defense.
https://x.com/barstoolsports/status/2087213779058577746?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ
Yeah, that is what I keep hearing. People keep posting stats. Saying a much worse team. Kyler will play lights out. Yeah yeah I have heard it. I've never bet on the Vikings to win it all. I did this year for the first time. I hope the "self-proclaimed better than you" people are right and at least I get paid out for it. Better be right.
Canthony wrote:
Yeah, that is what I keep hearing. People keep posting stats. Saying a much worse team. Kyler will play lights out. Yeah yeah I have heard it. I've never bet on the Vikings to win it all. I did this year for the first time. I hope the "self-proclaimed better than you" people are right and at least I get paid out for it. Better be right.
Instead of stats should we post the reactions of four out of state fans? Would that carry more weight with you?
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
Instead of stats should we post the reactions of four out of state fans? Would that carry more weight with you?
JJs ability to look good at the end of games when there is a chance to win holds no weight to you guys, so much of what you say doesn't sit with me either. Carry on and enjoy the day. Thanks.
Kyler - Stats with damn near no intangibles
JJ - Has everything you can't measure - Heart
One is teachable most of the time. One is who he is. Stats are good, but you need much more than that as an NFL QB.
In his 20 career passing attempts with 4 minutes to go, while trailing, he completes 50%, 2 TDs 2 ints, with a 63 QB rating.
Wow. Will you present him at Canton?
Way too early to say he’s this or that. But this lionizing a guy who done nothing to date is kinda weird.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
While trailing he completes 52% 6 tds 7 ints and a QB rating of 65. Red zone he completes 44% of his passes.
What am I not seeing?
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
StickierBuns wrote:
No doubt that his escapability and mobility will truly manifest itself at its best in live game action. It’s a dynamic that probably only Caleb Williams can match honestly. Would love to see him snatch victory from the Jaws of defeat at the end of some games with this dynamic.
Murray left the field with the lead or tied in 62 out of 87 starts. That’s 71% of the time. Patrick Holmes has the exact same 71% over the last 7 years. For Murray, this includes 5 games last year and 14 out of 17 games the year before. Cards went 10-12 in those games. Overall record for his career is 38-48-1, meaning 24 out of 48 losses (exactly half) happened after Murray left the field with the lead or tied.
Cardinals defense ranked 27th last year. Vikings 3rd.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." —George Orwell
MaroonBells wrote:
Murray left the field with the lead or tied in 62 out of 87 starts. That’s 71% of the time. Patrick Holmes has the exact same 71% over the last 7 years. For Murray, this includes 5 games last year and 14 out of 17 games the year before. Cards went 10-12 in those games. Overall record for his career is 38-48-1, meaning 24 out of 48 losses (exactly half) happened after Murray left the field with the lead or tied.
Cardinals defense ranked 27th last year. Vikings 3rd.
I hope the better all around team will help Murray then. I want nothing more than Murray to crush it and we have a fun year. People say leaders lead in different ways. True. Not sure if you have ever been in leadership of multiple people as that is my career, but I tend to believe more in people that have heart and show it. Maybe Murray has that, but he typically stays to himself. So it is hard for me to judge. Let's see what happens. The only hope, and I will say it again, that we hold onto JJ.
Murray has talent, no doubt. I have never disputed that. I hope he makes it over the hump and proves "idiots" like me wrong.
I think that’s a knife that cuts both ways. None of Kyler’s weaknesses show up on the practice field, where he’s threatened with being injured for yet another year. The knock on him is that he gets worried about getting injured, collapses into sacks, flees the pocket prematurely and just throws to his checkdowns.
Sure, we’ll get some bonus scrambles, but we’re also going to get those plays where JJ is wide open and Kyler doesn’t see it because he abandoned the pocket for a 3 yard gain.
medaille wrote:
I think that’s a knife that cuts both ways. None of Kyler’s weaknesses show up on the practice field, where he’s threatened with being injured for yet another year. The knock on him is that he gets worried about getting injured, collapses into sacks, flees the pocket prematurely and just throws to his checkdowns.
Sure, we’ll get some bonus scrambles, but we’re also going to get those plays where JJ is wide open and Kyler doesn’t see it because he abandoned the pocket for a 3 yard gain.
We don't know that. He is on the best team in history this year. Just go with it. Let the year play out the way that it will. We will see how it plays out when the real bullets fly. I tend to agree with you, but maybe having a better team can mask those things. Just go with it.
Canthony wrote:
Kyler - Stats with damn near no intangibles
JJ - Has everything you can't measure - Heart
One is teachable most of the time. One is who he is. Stats are good, but you need much more than that as an NFL QB.
If this were true, there would've been no reason to bring Kyler to Minnesota.
It's also true that if Kyler were coachable in Arizona they wouldn't have paid him 37? million to leave.
I need some weed...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Canthony wrote:
Yeah, that is what I keep hearing. People keep posting stats. Saying a much worse team. Kyler will play lights out. Yeah yeah I have heard it. I've never bet on the Vikings to win it all. I did this year for the first time. I hope the "self-proclaimed better than you" people are right and at least I get paid out for it. Better be right.
The North is going to be a bitch. If you get past that, we've got the seachickens and Lambs waiting. I feel better with a real starting QB even if he is 4' tall.
The thing about mobility is that it's risk / reward so tough to sustain.
You can extend plays / drives by having a mobile QB - At the same time, if you're not SMART about it, you open yourself up to a whole lotta pain.
Although I do respect the guy that sacrifices their body, you've gotta be smart about it. Slide, step outta bounds, and live to play another down.
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