Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press last week, becoming only the third player in Cardinals history to receive the honor.
His season was fantastic. He set all sorts of team rookie records and did things rarely done at his position as a rookie.
He was only the second rookie in NFL history to pass for at least 3,500 yards and rush for at least 500 more.
He joins receiver Anquan Boldin (2003) and running back Ottis Anderson (1979) as the only players in franchise history to win it.
And if history is any predictor of future success, the future looks bright for the Cardinals and Murray.
Anderson, who rushed for 1,605 yards as a rookie, is the team’s all-time record holder for rushing yards with 7,999. He holds the four best single-season rushing totals in franchise history and five of the top seven.
Boldin, as a rookie, tied the franchise single-season record for receptions with 101. He is second all-time in franchise history in receptions and fourth in receiving yards. He was the heart and soul of the Cardinals offense.
Both Boldin and Anderson are all-time franchise greats.
That suggests that Murray should be able to become one as well. He is well on his way, as his rookie season was the eighth-best single-season passing total in team history.
However, there is one thing in the history of these players that could be concerning.
Both Boldin and Anderson were traded away and won championships with other teams.
Anderson was traded to the New York Giants in 1986, the season when they won it all. He was the Super Bowl MVP in 1990.
Boldin won the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens after he was traded in 2010.
So history suggests Murray will be great, but might get traded away and win a title with another team.
Let’s hope that part doesn’t repeat itself.
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Ep. 257
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Ep. 256
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