Getty
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
After the Minnesota Vikings’ first loss of the season at the hands of the Detroit Lions in Week 8, there was concern about the play of starting QB Kyler Murray.
Against the Lions, Murray went 17-for-29 on his passing attempts, recording 210 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 89.7. However, the struggles came with an inability to connect with his wideouts.
Murray targeted Jordan Addison eight times and completed just three of those passes, and with Justin Jefferson, he was targeted by the Vikings starter nine times and completed just five of those passes.
With questions being asked about Murray and whether a QB change should be made with the Vikings offense not trending up, former NFL QB Donovan McNabb shared if he still believes in the Vikings starter or if a change is needed.
“It’s me [still a believer in Murray] and he’s trying to do everything that Kevin O’Connell wants in his system, which is pretty rare for him, but he’s still doing it within the system, and I think he’s going to continue to grow in that system,” McNabb said on a show on Nov. 2 in “Up & Adams.”
Murray has played 201 pass snaps for the Vikings so far this season, leading to a PFF passing grade of 68.6. In addition, he threw for 1,022 passing yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions while recording five big-time throws and three turnover-worthy plays.
Should the Vikings Make a Big Trade Before the Deadline?
In addition, McNabb believes the Vikings need to make significant moves, such as trading for Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, to show their commitment to Kyler Murray while improving the offense and containing the quarterback.
“You do it [the Taylor] definitely move because you believe in Kyler,” McNabb added. “But also, they have to figure out what the next three years look like after this season at the quarterback position with Kyler.
“Do you go and get a guy that you can fix and develop, so when things get shaky, you have a guy that you’ve built? And that’s what it’s all about. That’s what you saw throughout these organizations are very similarlike the Rams and San Fran. It’s about developing men in key positions.”
Minnesota Urged to Kick the Tires at Kirk Cousins Reunion
Although McNabb believes in Murray, a former NFL QB Chase Daniel may not share the same opinion, as he remembers that Minnesota has to call Las Vegas Raiders for Kirk Cousins.
“Talk of a trade for Kirk Cousins will continue,” Daniel said in a video on Nov. 1 from “Bussin’ With The Boys.” “If you’re the Vikings, you need to get back into the race and seriously consider looking at Kirk Cousins.
“Why don’t you check out the Raiders and Kirk Cousins? Kirk is playing perfectly and had a fantastic game against Jets. Your defense won’t carry you all year. Yes, I agree that Kyler played well in the second half.”
Cousins has played 329 pass snaps so far for the Raiders this season, leading to a PFF passing grade of 76.5. Additionally, the veteran QB threw for 2,124 passing yards and 19 touchdowns against five interceptions while recording 10 big-time throws and seven turnover-worthy plays.
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo