Kyler Murray Is the Least of the 5-0 Vikings’ Reasons for Winning, and That Could Change

To this point in the season, the Minnesota Vikings (5-0) have been brilliant on defense and been among the best teams in the NFL when it comes to special teams. The quarterback position, normally the most important spot on the field, has not been very impressive to this point.

Kyler Murray is the Vikings QB1, signed as a free agent in the offseason. He has been a brilliant athlete throughout the majority of his career. He combines a strong and accurate arm with fairly explosive running speed. However, injuries had prevented him from showing off his skills in two of the last three years.

As a result, there were no guarantees that Murray would help the Vikings. He was a quarterback coming into a new environment and being asked to run head coach Kevin O’Connell’s complex system.

While Murray had an excellent game in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, his play to this point has not helped the Vikings very much. In Sports Illustrated’s most recent quarterback rankings, Murray is listed as No. 26. He is just ahead of Jameis Winston of the New York Giants and just below Jacoby Brissett of the Cardinals, his former team.

Murray was knocked out of his first game with the Vikings early in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers. He suffered a concussion after taking a big hit and he did not play in Week 2.

Murray returned in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but after opening the game with a sharp downfield pass to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the Vikings offense stalled. Jefferson suffered a sprained ankle, and he missed the majority of the game.

The Vikings were hoping to move forward in Week 4 against the winless Miami Dolphins, but the offense was unable to manufacture any momentum until the fourth quarter. Murray was able to use that fourth quarter to help the Vikings secure a victory.

He had a bit more confidence against the Saints, and he started the game by connecting on his first 12 passes. He would complete 24 of 30 passes in the game and also show off his athleticism and running ability with 51 rushing yards.

He also threw a brilliant 15-yard TD pass to Jefferson against triple coverage that keyed the 23-13 victory over the Saints. That play may have also turned the Vikings offense in a positive direction going forward.

The Vikings have hope about their offense after one solid performance from Murray. However, the only way he is going to rise in the QB rankings is to string together multiple efficient and effective performances in the weeks to come.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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