Taking a look at a 49ers divisional rivals QBs: Kyler Murray

As San Francisco 49ers fans, it’s important to know what the team will be up against in the regular season. And since the Niners will be facing him twice this year, let’s take a look at the Arizona Cardinals’ rookie quarterback, Kyler Murray.

As the greatest coach in the history of sports (UCLA basketball legend John Wooden) once said, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” That quote applies not only to athletes, but to fans as well. As fans, it is important we do our research to know what the San Francisco 49ers will be facing. Not because it actually makes a difference, but because it makes us feel like we’re a part of the team as we sit on our couches.

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at a QB the 49ers will be facing twice this year: Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals.

If you follow college football, you probably remember when Murray tore it up on the field last year for the Oklahoma Sooners on his way to winning the Heisman trophy. He broke the NCAA record for yards per attempt and yards per play for quarterbacks, highlighting his shifty running ability and incredible arm in the process. He was one of the most fun college football players to watch in recent memory.

You may also remember, for a long time, people expected Murray to play baseball, as he had been drafted and signed by the Oakland A’s. However, after a few months of rumors, Murray announced he would be playing football professionally. He then skyrocketed to the top of most people’s NFL Draft boards, leading to the Cardinals selecting him with the first overall pick in the 2019 draft.

New Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury believes Murray will be the perfect quarterback to lead his air raid offensive system, which will supposedly take the NFL by storm. However, Kingsbury’s offense couldn’t even take the Big-12 by storm, which is why he was fired from Texas Tech before somehow stumbling into the Cardinals head coaching gig.

So let’s just say the jury is out on whether Kingsbury was actually a good hire for the Cardinals.

But this article’s not about Kingsbury. It’s about Murray, one of the most exciting NFL rookies ever. And that’s a great way to describe Murray: exciting. He is nothing if not exciting, as he demonstrated in Arizona’s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. He can destroy a defense with his legs:

As well as with his arm:

Murray is certainly exciting. But there are definitely some questions about his ability to perform at the NFL level. Murray is short, barely 5-foot-10, leading to passes being batted down. Although, with his athleticism, Murray should be able to overcome this in many circumstances.

The 49ers should certainly be scared of what Murray can potentially do to them. But, while Murray performed admirably against the Vikings, his game the week prior against the Oakland Raiders showed what can happen when he is pressured.

Against the Raiders, Murray went 3-of-8 and was sacked twice. On HBO’s Hard Knocks, there was a clip of him complaining to Oakland wide receiver Antonio Brown, jokingly saying, “why they gotta bring the house on me, bro?” While his comments were likely joking, it did highlight that the Raiders were able to effectively shut down Murray with their pass rush.

And that was the Raiders pass rush. If the Raiders can shut Murray down, the Niners should be able to as well. Why? Let me give you a few reasons: Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, etc.

All in all, the Niners certainly do need to be worried about Kyler Murray. With his athleticism and arm, he can make plays at any moment. But, with the strength of the Niners’ pass rush, Murray shouldn’t be too big of an issue, at least not in his first season in the NFL.

In the long term, however, Murray is definitely a name we Niners’ fans will be frustratedly shouting for years to come.