Forum › The Longship › The Vikings just need an average QB to win.

The Vikings just need an average QB to win.

HO
Joined Apr 2024
600 posts
Rep: 728

I have been hearing this for a couple of seasons. All the Vikings need is an average QB to win. If it is true, is Kyler Murray an average QB?

An average QB is defined as a game manager who avoids turnovers but rarely carries the offense.He distributes the ball to playmakers, protects the football, and relies on a balanced running game and defense, but needs a strong supporting cast to win. A team's O-line, scheme, and pass catchers heavily dictate whether an average QB is functional or struggles. So is Kyler Murray performing at the level of an average QB this year?

AVG.QB K. MURRAY WENTZ

NFL QB RANK 16th 19th N/A

PASSER RTNG. 85-90 85.8 22nd 106.4

QBR 50 45.8 25th 54.5

COMP. % 63-65 % 66.4% 11th 59%

YDS./Attempt 7.0-7.5 yds. 6.5 yds. 19th 7.1 yds.

TD/INT. 2:1 3:2 3:0

KM is performing a bit below average NFL QB standards so far. So is he responsible for the offensive dysfunction ? Or does his performance reflect a lack of a balanced running game due to the O-line or a scheme that doesn't support his strengths? We know the defense and pass catchers are top of the NFL.

edited Oct 27, 2026 7:51 PM
Liked:
#1 · Oct 27, 6:48 PM
SA
Joined May 2013
198 posts
Rep: 145

JustInTime wrote:

Which statement wasn’t true? Not a two time pro bowler? Best surround? One of two QBs to average 230 passing and 40 yards rushing in a minimum of 50 games?
Just win, baby. Amirite?

MAD GAINZ wrote:

Is he averaging that here? Not even close.

KM has averaged 200 yds passing and 31 yds rushing in the 4 complete games he’s played as a Vike.

Thats 13% off passing and 24% off rushing.

Fairly close, imo.

And I’d bet on an improvement.

Liked:
#42 · Oct 28, 9:43 PM CT
JimmyinSD
JimmyinSD
Admin
Joined May 2013
2,433 posts
Rep: 2,314

savannahskol wrote:

KM has averaged 200 yds passing and 31 yds rushing in the 4 complete games he’s played as a Vike.
Thats 13% off passing and 24% off rushing.
Fairly close, imo.
And I’d bet on an improvement.

Well there really is only one way to go and thats up, i doubt he can play much worse with the talent around him.

Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?

Liked:
#43 · Oct 29, 6:07 AM CT
MaroonBells
Joined Jan 2014
5,528 posts
Rep: 6,070

greediron wrote:

I am wondering if this is part of his hesitation as well. He is a bit behind, a bit slow, which could be being afraid to throw the risky throw. Ball control and defense has worked so far, but at some point he needs to loosen up and make some throws.

KOC has even alluded to this recently, emphasizing wins over stats. But I think there's even more to it than meets the eye. Vikings have won 11 straight games playing this kind of football. 11 straight. That just doesn't happen very often in the NFL.

I'm just not sure this kind of football is sustainable against better teams. That's what has me worried. I'd hoped we'd tweak some of that over the bye, but nothing changed. In fact, in some ways it got worse. You can't play protection offense without a running game. So we either need to find the keys to the running game or free up Murray a little more.

edited Oct 29, 2026 7:23 AM CT

"The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth."  —Garry Kasparov

Liked:
#44 · Oct 29, 6:41 AM CT
Bullazin
Joined Jul 2013
561 posts
Rep: 405

Kurt Warner was on Eisen and said Kyler is 1 read and then checkdown. He also said that is what Kyler has always been for his 8-9 years.

I expect Kyler to get back to his mean which will be plenty for this team to contend. Will he improve on his mean in this system? It’s possible with a full year under his belt.

As far as pining for JJM, it’s over and it’s not really about his talent, it’s between his ears. KOC has to take some blame for that but I’m not sure how much.

Liked:
#45 · Oct 29, 9:17 AM CT
JustInTime
Joined Feb 2025
5,993 posts
Rep: 4,569

Bullazin wrote:

Kurt Warner was on Eisen and said Kyler is 1 read and then checkdown. He also said that is what Kyler has always been for his 8-9 years.
I expect Kyler to get back to his mean which will be plenty for this team to contend. Will he improve on his mean in this system? It’s possible with a full year under his belt.
As far as pining for JJM, it’s over and it’s not really about his talent, it’s between his ears. KOC has to take some blame for that but I’m not sure how much.

The numbers don’t support that statement

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

Liked:
#46 · Oct 29, 9:18 AM CT
JustInTime
Joined Feb 2025
5,993 posts
Rep: 4,569

Here’s last week’s distribution. Previous week shows 2nd going at a higher percentage.

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

Liked:
#47 · Oct 29, 10:40 AM CT
Bullazin
Joined Jul 2013
561 posts
Rep: 405

Interesting data, so is Warner full of shit or is Kyler adapting his game ?

Liked:
#48 · Oct 29, 1:02 PM CT
MaroonBells
Joined Jan 2014
5,528 posts
Rep: 6,070

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/sfdata9ers/status/2115531295778636219Here’s last week’s distribution. Previous week shows 2nd going at a higher percentage.

Perception ≠ Reality. I think a lot of Viking fans would be surprised to find out Murray's at the top of QBs who throw to their 2nd read and also has the fewest check-downs in the league, as in 0.0%.

"The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth."  —Garry Kasparov

Liked:
#49 · Oct 29, 4:42 PM CT
AGRforever
Joined Sep 2014
942 posts
Rep: 777

Chuckf wrote:

Give a 4th rounder to Las Vegas and bring Kirko Chains back for a run this year. Jon Gruden is lobbying the Vikings to do so. You bring Cousins back and those explosive plays return. Defenses have to respect the deep passing game. Then find a running back. I would absolutely LOVE to get Jonathan Taylor which would be the icing on the cake. Cousins knows the offense, knows the WR corps and understands what KOC wants to accomplish. Would totally flip the script offensively. I laughed at the Rams and Eagles for what they did making big trades but they have Lombardi Trophies don't they? The Bengals have gone all in as did the Seahawks and then they get Quenton Nelson. I think if anything it has been proven over time you can rebuild a team fast if you are smart. This isn't the old NFL. Pony up Teasely and go chase a championship. Yes the Colts tried and they failed, better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

If they’d take a 4th I’d do it in a heartbeat. I way prefer Kirko to this. I’d take his lack of playoff production and even his under the lights checkdowns. Let’s face it. We’re a checkdown team now.

Liked:
#50 · Oct 29, 4:46 PM CT
purplefaithful
Joined May 2013
9,975 posts
Rep: 6,912

I think bringing in a QB this late in the game (Herbert, Kirko, insert name here) is just not feasible timeline-wise.

The time they started to get their footing? It'll be new years.

If something (god forbid) happens to Qb1? It's Wentz time.

Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger! 

Liked:
#51 · Oct 29, 5:09 PM CT
HA
Joined Apr 2024
134 posts
Rep: 140

If it were me in the GM spot, I’d trade for Mac Jones if it can be done for a reasonable price. Kyler could go for a couple of more games and Jones could replace him if need be. That would give a chance to see Jones in action before his contract is up. If he’s good enough, it puts you in a good position to do a longer term deal. Such a deal would be expensive, but likely much less than the top ten guys.

Liked:
#52 · Oct 29, 6:40 PM CT
MA
Joined Apr 2024
921 posts
Rep: 1,941

MaroonBells wrote:

Perception ≠ Reality. I think a lot of Viking fans would be surprised to find out Murray's at the top of QBs who throw to their 2nd read and also has the fewest check-downs in the league, as in 0.0%.

That was just for Week 7.

Liked:
#53 · Oct 29, 10:08 PM CT
Log in to reply.

Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)

Warn Poster

Suspend User (3 days)

The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.

Forum › The Longship › The Vikings just need an average QB to win.
Return to top ↑

Welcome to VikeFans!

Welcome back, Skol fans! This is our new home. Log in with your username or email and your existing password.


Be sure to check out the How To's and Questions forum for guides on getting around the new site, and use the Help Request forum if you run into anything that you need help with. Skol!

You belong here, Vikings fan.

Join the VikeFans community to share your takes, react to posts, and talk Vikings with fans who get it.