{"id":709516,"date":"2026-06-02T02:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T02:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/709516\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T02:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T02:53:11","slug":"why-kyler-murray-is-already-the-favorite-for-one-of-the-nfls-biggest-honors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/709516\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Kyler Murray Is Already the Favorite for One of the NFL\u2019s Biggest Honors"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> made one of the splashiest moves of the NFL<\/a> offseason, signing former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray<\/a> to a one-year veteran minimum deal worth just $1.3 million on March 12.<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals<\/a> released their franchise quarterback after seven seasons and are still on the hook for the remaining $36.8 million of his guaranteed contract, which is how Minnesota was able to swoop in with such a low deal.<\/p>\n

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It was the definition of a low-risk, potentially massive-reward gamble for the Vikings, a team that just two years ago went 14-3, tied for the second-best record in the NFC behind Coach of the Year winner Kevin O\u2019Connell.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Connell made no promises after the signing. \u201cIt\u2019s March,\u201d he said<\/a> the day Murray put ink to paper, who was immediately expected to be in the middle of a \u201ctrue competition\u201d with former 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So far, however, it hasn\u2019t looked like much of one.<\/p>\n

At the Vikings\u2019 first open OTA practices, beat writers watching Murray and McCarthy throw side by side described the gap between the two quarterbacks as \u201cnot particularly close<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Murray, per ESPN\u2019s Kevin Seifert, \u201cmade all of the best throws of the practice, demonstrating his downfield touch and accuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, Murray just received another vote of confidence.<\/p>\n

As part of ESPN\u2019s \u201c100 Days to the 2026 Season<\/a>\u201d feature released on Monday, June 1, NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum went all-in, predicting Kyler Murray to win Comeback Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cMurray steps into an ideal system with coach Kevin O\u2019Connell and receivers Justin Jefferson<\/a> and Jordan Addison<\/a>,\u201d Tannenbaum wrote. \u201cI think the Vikings can go 11-6, clinch the NFC North, and win a playoff game with the former Cardinals QB at the helm.\u201d<\/p>\n

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More news: Forget the Rams: The Biggest Winner of the Myles Garrett Trade Is Joe Burrow<\/a><\/p>\n

\"FormerGLENDALE, AZ \u2013 OCTOBER 05: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before kickoff against the Tennessee Titans<\/a> during an NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona<\/a>. (Photo by Cooper Neill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More news: 5 Bold NFL Predictions for the June 1 Deadline: Where Does A.J. Brown Land?<\/a><\/p>\n

The AP\u2019s NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award honors a player who demonstrates resilience by overcoming \u201cillness, physical injury, or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season.\u201d<\/p>\n

The AP tightened this definition<\/a> in 2024, highlighting that it isn\u2019t for guys who just had a down year. You have to have\u00a0missed time due to injury or illness.<\/p>\n

Murray qualifies on every level. In 2025, he played just five games for the Cardinals before landing on injured reserve with a foot injury.<\/p>\n

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The award has also historically been dominated by quarterbacks, with names like Joe Burrow (twice), Joe Flacco<\/a>, Geno Smith<\/a>, Alex Smith<\/a>, Ryan Tannehill<\/a>, and Andrew Luck<\/a> winning it in recent years.<\/p>\n

Murray could easily join that list.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Connell is one of the NFL\u2019s most creative offensive minds, having already coaxed career years out of Kirk Cousins<\/a> and Sam Darnold<\/a> in Minnesota. Now he gets Murray, a dual-threat weapon with a 67.1% career completion percentage and over 3,000 yards rushing in his career.<\/p>\n

Pair that with Justin Jefferson, arguably the best wide receiver in football and an ascending Jordan Addison, along with other pass-catchers like Jauan Jennings<\/a> and T.J. Hockenson<\/a>, and this offense has the chance to be elite.<\/p>\n

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More news: Alvin Kamara\u2019s Future With Saints Unclear as $14 Million Cap Decision Looms<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/p>\n

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