Kyler Murray was supposed to be a franchise-changing quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, and therefore a problem for the Seattle Seahawks. Murray was also supposed to do that with the Minnesota Vikings, a potential playoff opponent for Seattle in 2026. But in Week 1, Murray proved to be the same player he was with Arizona, and likely not a concern for the Seahawks.
Murray was injured early in the game against the Green Bay Packers, and getting hurt wasn't his fault. He was hit late and high by the Packers' Javon Bullard, and the quarterback sustained a concussion. Murray certainly didn't deserve to get injured, but getting hurt has been a Murray motif.
So has his ability to make needless mistakes, such as the QB tossing a pass under duress deep down the field with little hope that his receiver would catch it. That was what happened on Murray's first throw of the game. Minnesota got the entire Kyler Murray experience in less than a quarter of play.
Minnesota Vikings just learned about Kyler Murray what Seattle Seahawks fans already knew
After Murray left, he was replaced by Carson Wentz, who then led the Vikings to a 39-22 victory. As odd as it might seem, should Minnesota make the playoffs at the end of the season and play the Seahawks, Wentz might be a more formidable challenge for Seattle than Murray would be. Seattle knows it can be the latter quarterback.
The Cardinals haven't defeated Seattle since October 2020 when Murray was behind center. The quarterback has great raw ability, but he is small, has issues seeing the middle of the field, and gets hurt easily. The Vikings thought he was worth taking a chance on, but they might have already learned he isn't. Wentz might be a better fit in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense.
For the Seattle Seahawks and their fans, the hope is that Kyler Murray comes back soon from his concussion, somehow finds a way to stay healthy, and can play against Seattle in the playoffs. That would be an automatic victory for head coach Mike Macdonald's team. Murray can't beat Seattle.
Carson Wentz might be able to, though. He has had his own injuries issues, but at least can see the entire field.
As for Murray, he has a long history of neither defeating the Seahawks, helping his own team win consistently, nor being available for games. Since 2022, he has played in every game in only one season (2024), and missed at least six games in every other year.
The Vikings wanted a quarterback who could get them to the playoffs, but they are learning what the Seahawks already knew: Murray will make silly mistakes and miss games. The hope is that he is available for when Minnesota plays Seattle, though, because 12s can assume the outcome of the game will be in their favor.
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