The Arizona Cardinals have had a rookie starting quarterback for two consecutive seasons. In 2018, it was Josh Rosen. This year, it is Kyler Murray. It just happens to be that through 11 games this season, Murray has exactly the same number of passing attempts that Rosen did his rookie season, meaning there are some easy comparisons to be made.
The eye test will tell you Murray is having a superior season than Rosen did last year. Just how much better?
Murray has 393 passing attempts this season through 11 games. Rosen had 393 passing attempts all last season, in 14 games and 13 starts.
How much better has Murray been?
- He has completed 37 more passes than Rosen did (254 to 217).
- Naturally, his completion percentage is better (64.6 to 55.2).
- He has more 425 more passing yards (2,703 to 2,278).
- He has more touchdown passes (14 to 11).
- He has far fewer interceptions (5 to Rosen’s 14).
- He has a much higher yards per attempt (6.9 to 5.8).
- His passer rating is more than 24 points higher (91.2 to 66.7).
That doesn’t even factor in the running ability. Rosen had 138 rushing yards. Murray has 418 so far and has scored three touchdowns on the ground.
Rosen won three games in 13 starts. Murray has three and a tie in 11 games.
In every metric imaginable, Murray’s season is superior to Rosen’s rookie season.
If there was any doubt about whether the Cardinals made the right decision in drafting Murray and moving on from Rosen, that should be gone at this point.
Murray simply has been far better and has shown much more promise for the future.
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