Analytics Show Kyler Murray Was Better Than You Think Last Season
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray had nowhere close to a notable 2022 season.
In what was his worst statistical year under a regime that would soon be shown the door, injury was added to insult (that's how the saying goes, right?) when Murray went down with a torn ACL in Week 12.
Even before the injury, Murray was seen as a hit-or-miss quarterback in terms of accuracy and ability to place the ball. Though his arm strength, playmaking ability and overall athleticism can make up for it, Arizona's current franchise quarterback isn't exactly known for his work inside the pocket.
2022 saw Murray finish with career lows in touchdown percentage (3.6%), yards per attempt (6.1), yards per game (215.3) and passer rating (87.2).
The numbers weren't quite there, but Pro Football Focus' recent deep dive into 2022's quarterback play shows Murray was better than what the stat sheet suggests.
Murray finished as the No. 2 quarterback in PFF's regular accuracy category, which was defined as the following:
"When a passer puts the ball on the receiver's frame so that he doesn't need to adjust or slow down to make the play and continue after the catch. Accurate passes have been completed 93.3% of the time since 2020."
Full list:
1. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers: 66.7%
2. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: 65.6%
3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 65.5%
4. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 65.0%
5. Daniel Jones, New York Giants: 64.6%
Murray also finished second in the "catchable but inaccurate" category, which was defined as:
"A catchable pass where the receiver has to make a notable adjustment to reel it in, either by slowing his route or extending himself in any direction. This can include a quarterback throwing the ball too high or low or slightly behind or in front of the receiver. Catchable but inaccurate passes have been completed 78.7% of the time since 2020."
Full list for that category:
1. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 15.3%
2. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: 17.1%
3. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 17.2%
4. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans: 17.6%
5. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints: 17.9%
It was a tough year all around for Murray, who had to play the first six games of the season without DeAndre Hopkins due to suspension before Marquise Brown was sidelined with a foot injury.
Arizona's average of 6.0 yards per attempt last season was the lowest in the league, largely an indictment on Kliff Kingsbury's offensive scheme that many believe held Murray back.
That's not as if 2023 projects to be a major bounce back season for Murray. He's still recovering from a serious injury, will be without his best receiver in Hopkins and is working under a first-time offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing.
However, PFF's analytics do point out that perhaps he was better last season that some give him credit for.
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