Murray was able to hit the ground running by completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,722 yards and 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions as a rookie, a campaign in which he was sacked an NFL-high 48 times but finished by claiming Offensive Rookie of the Year honors from The Associated Press.
He followed that debut season with two consecutive years that garnered Pro Bowl selections. He led the Cardinals to an 8-8 mark by throwing a career-high 26 touchdowns in 2020 before going 9-5 in 2021 when he posted his top single-season completion percentage (69.2) and passer rating (100.6). The completion percentage broke Murray’s own Cardinals record of 67.2 in 2020.
Murray has also used his mobility along the way. He and Bills QB Josh Allen are the only two players all-time with 20,000 passing yards and more than 3,000 rushing yards in 85 or fewer games (Allen did so in 84, and Murray met the marks in his 85th career game).
Murray, Allen, Cam Newton and Jalen Hurts are the only QBs in NFL history to throw more than 100 touchdowns and score at least 30 rushing touchdowns through their first six seasons.
The only player ever drafted in the first round of the NFL and MLB (A’s at No. 9 in 2018) drafts, Murray opted for football professionally and won the Heisman Trophy as a junior in Oklahoma in 2018.
He became a Sooner after beginning his college career at Texas A&M, where he was teammates with Vikings Assistant Quarterbacks Coach/Passing Game Specialist Jordan Traylor.
Murray grew up in Allen, Texas, northeast of Dallas and won three consecutive state football titles (5A in 2012-13 and 6A in 2014) by going 43-0 as a starter for the powerhouse.