Oct 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Sunday Soccer Night time in America host Chris Simms delivers the pre-game present earlier than the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Pictures
Kyler Murray is the third-worst beginning quarterback within the NFL heading into June 2026, in accordance with NBC Sports activities‘ Chris Simms. Murray’s status is low in the meanwhile, solid off from the Arizona Cardinals in March and touchdown in Minnesota a number of days later.
However most didn’t comprehend it was this low, as described by Simms, usually thought-about a quarterback savant. Simms thinks Murray is among the NFL’s least efficient passers.
Simms’s Rating Provides One other [Bad] Layer to Murray Debate
NBC analyst Chris Simms smiles on the sideline earlier than an AFC Divisional Spherical matchup between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium. Simms has since develop into one of many NFL media’s most recognizable quarterback evaluators, steadily weighing in on draft prospects and league storylines. Jan. 12, 2019. Necessary Credit score: Denny Medley-Imagn Pictures.
Simms’s Rankings from 11-43
Every summer season, Simms releases his quarterback rankings for the upcoming season, and thus far, he’s posted the whole lot however the High 10.
Right here’s the pecking order to this point, in accordance with Simms, a former quarterback:
11 — Dak Prescott (DAL)12 — Trevor Lawrence (JAX)13 — Jared Goff (DET)14 — Sam Darnold (SEA)15 — Jordan Love (GB)16 — Bo Nix (DEN)17 — Brock Purdy (SF)18 — Daniel Jones (IND)19 — Malik Willis (MIA)20 — C.J. Stroud (HOU)21 — Jalen Hurts (PHI)22 — Jaxson Dart (NYG)23 — Cam Ward (TEN)24 — Geno Smith (NYJ)25 — Jacoby Brissett (ARI)26 — Aaron Rodgers (PIT)27 — Tyler Shough (NO)28 — Joe Flacco (CIN)29 — Mac Jones (SF)30 — Kyler Murray (MIN)31 — Bryce Younger (CAR)32 — Michael Penix Jr. (ATL)33 — Fernando Mendoza (LV)34 — Kirk Cousins (LV)35 — Marcus Mariota (WAS)36 — Tua Tagovailoa (ATL)37 — J.J. McCarthy (MIN)38 — Davis Mills (HOU)39 — Deshaun Watson (CLE)40 — Jarrett Stidham (DEN)41 — Shedeur Sanders (CLE)42 — Ty Simpson (LAR)43 — Carson Beck (ARI)
Vikings followers noticed Murray’s rating and handled it like a DJ’s report scratch.
Thirtieth-Greatest. Actually?
It’s readily obvious that Murray’s inventory is at a profession low; the Cardinals dropped him, for God’s sake. It doesn’t get a lot decrease than that. Nonetheless, rating the person at No. 30 on an inventory of quarterbacks is absurd.
For starters, he’s a former first general choose who averages about 4,000 passing yards, 600 speeding yards, and 30 complete touchdowns per 17 video games. That manufacturing doesn’t develop on bushes. Second, Simms is aware of that Murray is on deck to work throughout the Vikings’ offense. It’s as if Simms is setting himself as much as look foolish looking back by November or December.
Simms famous on Murray’s trashy rating, “An explosive arm and natural athleticism are strengths, but lack of anticipation and small stature are weaknesses for the new Minnesota Viking.”
Murray ought to have the ability to overcome these weaknesses alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason in 2026. He additionally has the top coach behind him who’s extensively famend for “whispering” to quarterbacks.
And, by the way in which, Minnesota showcased the NFL’s third-best protection in 2025, per EPA/Play and DVOA. The celebrities are aligning for Murray to play significantly better than the third-worst starter within the NFL, as Simms, as predicted.
Geno Smith and Jacoby Brissett Higher per Simms
Essentially the most laughable a part of Simms’ breakdown is the lads forward of him. Not Dak Prescotts and Trevor Lawrences; these are considerably comprehensible.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches from courtside seats throughout a Phoenix Suns recreation towards the Golden State Warriors. The previous No. 1 general draft choose remained considered one of Arizona’s largest sports activities figures whereas persevering with to ascertain himself because the franchise quarterback. Mar. 4, 2021. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
It’s Geno Smith, Jacoby Brissett, Mac Jones, Cam Ward, and even Joe Flacco rating forward of Murray that’s mind-boggling. On what planet did Smith, Brissett, Jones, Ward, and Flacco develop into extra harmful threats than Murray?
Murray didn’t must get High 10 placement from Simms, however when Smith, Brissett, Jones, Ward, and Flacco rank forward of him on an inventory, one thing is fishy.
Extra Gasoline for Murray
The subsequent step for Murray? Show that rating batches like Simms’s is bogus. Murray isn’t required to carry out at an MVP stage to guide this workforce to victories. Above-average quarterback play ought to suffice to reverse among the Vikings’ 2025 outcomes; in reality, in a number of contests final season, even merely competent quarterback play would have secured a win for Minnesota.
Whereas he isn’t anticipated to “manage” video games, the edge for playoff competition isn’t exceptionally excessive. Baker Mayfield’s environment friendly, composed, and clutch efficiency in Tampa Bay serves as a salient instance. Ought to Murray carry out at a comparable stage, Minnesota can be well-positioned, with even better potential if he hits his stride.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray prepares to take the sphere earlier than a house recreation towards the New Orleans Saints at State Farm Stadium. Murray entered the competition because the centerpiece of Arizona’s offense and one of many NFL’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks. Oct. 20, 2022. Necessary Credit score: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY NETWORK.
Murray shouldn’t be considered merely as a short-term resolution, a technique the Vikings have beforehand employed with quarterbacks akin to Sam Darnold. If he performs successfully, there’s no obstacle to his long-term tenure in Minnesota. His playmaking capacity and arm expertise elevate the workforce’s ceiling, providing a chance for continued success quite than necessitating one other rebuild.
And it’s not like Murray wants extra ammunition. The Cardinals already gave up on him. Now, ex-NFLers like Simms suppose he’s the third-worst beginning quarterback.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
