What adjustments do Kyler Murray need to make to be a Top 10 NFL QB in 2025?
First off, I am a fan of Chris Simms’ due diligence in watching and breaking down copious reels of NFL game films. While I occasionally do not concur with some aspects of his evaluations and rankings, I fully appreciate how Simms’ analyses and rankings provoke and stimulate healthy and robust conversations among NFL pundits and fans.
Recent case in point:
2025 QB Countdown is complete. Here are the Top 10 rankings. The top tier especially might be the best we’ve ever had at one time in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/ZPaSLfxSsx
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) June 10, 2025
When I first perused this list, a general feel of “what if” was haunting me.
- During the 2017 NFL Draft, what if Steve Keim had made a convincing enough offer to move up from #13 to the Bills’ pick at #10 to select QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech. It would have cost the Cardinals their 2017 picks #13 and #77, plus their 2018 1st round pick. And Mahomes could have been groomed by Bruce Arians as the heir to Carson Palmer.
- During the 2018 NFL Draft, what if Steve Keim had traded up to #7 with the Bucs ahead of the Bills or had he stayed at pick #15 and drafted Lamar Jackson instead of trading up with the raiders to take Josh Rosen at #10 and giving the Raiders picks #15 , #79 and #152.
Thus, the Cardinals’ 2018 draft may have looked this this:
15. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
47. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
79. Orlando Brown, Jr., T, Oklahoma
97. Mason Cole, C, Michigan
134. Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham
152. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, ED, Oklahoma
I get it —- what ifs at this point are fruitless —- but for those of us who were pounding the table for Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson (and we have plenty of proof of that it in the ROTB archives) —- those frustrations linger.
As for Simms’ list —-
Seeing as what ifs were back then and this is right now, what we Cardinals’ fans have to hope for is that Kyler Murray crack the Simms’ 2026 Top 10 NFL QBs. Do you notice that 3 of Simms’ current Top 10 QB were at one time coached by Kliff Kingsbury?
How sweet it would be at last to see Kyler Murray ranked above all other NFC West QBs after this season. Only Matthew Stafford appears in this year’s Simms’ Top 10.
Last year, Chris Simms had Kyler Murray ranked #16 in his “Sold starter, but…” tier. Simm’s main claim is that “all of Kyler’s issues are pocket related.”
Chris Simms’ evaluation of Kyler is right on the money. Take the time to watch. Simms mentions one aspect of Kyler’s throwing mechanics that have concerned many of us —- his baseball wind-up —- which in the NFL often makes the difference, time-wise, of missing out on big-time connections downfield, because of the added half a second or full second that is lost. The defensive recovery speed in the NFL is elite. It would be great to see Kyler hold the ball up near his chin and whenever possible throw it with a quicker, tighter release. The thing is —-
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By holding the ball lower in an attempt to be able to take his arm straight back into a wind-up, Kyler makes himself even smaller in the pocket.
The higher the football, the quicker the release.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Who has the better, quicker, stronger release: Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield?
How does Kyler’s release compare to this guy’s?
Look at how other QBs “tee the ball up” —- can make a huge difference.
Kyler Murray’s 2025 rankings:
PFF:
PFF Quarterback Rankings: All 32 starters ahead of the 2025 NFL season
15. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
After multiple injury-plagued seasons, Murray finally stayed healthy in 2024 and delivered an 82.1 overall grade. If he can avoid the injury bug again in 2025, Murray is well-positioned to take another step forward in Year 3 under head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
- Stafford —- #7
- Purdy —- #11
- Murray —- #15
- Darnold —- #26
CBS Sports:
23. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
He can scurry around like few others, and he can rifle it deep fairly well. Entering Year 7 as the Cardinals’ former No. 1 pick, however, Murray’s yet to prove he can be truly steady through the air.
- Stafford —- #7
- Purdy —- #10
- Darnold —- #22
- Murray —- #23
ROTB Question: Can and will Kyler Murray make adjustments to his throwing motion and to his pocket patience? What do you think?