Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, a standout since being the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a Heisman Trophy winner, has faced challenges due to injuries and team struggles. Despite this, Budda Baker, a veteran safety and teammate, declared Murray the most underrated quarterback in the NFL as the 2025 season approaches.
Baker had the chance to go up against Murray during the offseason minicamp and was impressed by what he witnessed firsthand.
What Baker Sees on the Field
Addressing ESPN’s Mina Kimes, Budda Baker revealed why Murray deserves more recognition.
“We haven’t had a lot of national games,”
Baker said.
“People kind of see him as a ‘shirt’ guy, but this guy can make all the throws inside the pocket, outside the pocket. He’s quick. You see it on tape. He’s outrunning everybody all the time. Even like that 49ers game — we’re in San Fran, he points out to the touchdown 40, 50 yards away knowing he was going to score. I haven’t seen a QB do that. It’s definitely exciting. It’s cool to just lay under the weeds and have him be that underrated guy and just kind of show who he is this year and throughout the whole season.”
Consistent Production and Mobility
Last season, Murray played in all 17 games for the first time since 2020, showcasing his durability. His performance closely mirrored the levels that made him a highly promising quarterback early in his career, compiling 3,851 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, along with 572 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Mobility has long been a defining feature of Murray’s game, originating from his college years at Oklahoma, where he was college football’s most outstanding player in 2018. His peak rushing season came in 2020 with 819 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, although those numbers have dipped somewhat in recent seasons.
Baker’s Confidence in Murray’s Growth This Season
Budda Baker believes Murray is primed to regain and even surpass his previous rushing prowess as he enters his seventh NFL season.
According to Baker,
“He’s kind of been in his bag this whole offseason, doing no-look throws and having a great offseason training camp. K1, he’s going to run a little bit more. A little outside the pocket, inside the pocket throws. He’s going to kind of do it all. He’s going to get all his guys the rock.”
Historic Performances Suggest More to Come
Murray’s capabilities were on full display in Week 1 of last season when he achieved a perfect passer rating during a decisive win over the Los Angeles Rams. This performance made him only the second player in NFL history to reach a perfect rating while recording at least 250 passing yards and 50 rushing yards in the same game.
With Budda Baker’s endorsement and Murray’s continued development, the 2025 season could see the quarterback finally receive the wider recognition his skill set merits. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if Murray can emerge from under the radar and firmly establish himself among the league’s elite signal-callers.