Despite Struggles vs Raiders, Kyler Murray’s OROY Odds Continue Getting Shorter

• Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray struggled during his second NFL preseason start
• Murray was twice flagged for false starts during a 33-26 loss to the Oakland Raiders
• Regardless, oddsmakers drop their NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds on him from +150 to +120

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray didn’t resemble Tom Brady in his second NFL preseason start. The #1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft completed 3-of-8 passes for 12 yards during four offensive possessions of a 33-26 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

News flash: rookie quarterbacks find adapting to the NFL a challenge. Sure, it’s too early to label him the next Joe Montana but let’s not already establish that Murray’s the next Joe Pisarcik, either.

That’s the way oddsmakers view it. The sportsbook actually dropped their NFL OROY odds on Murray from +150 to +120.

2019-20 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

*Odds taken on 08/16/19. 

Only one of the past four NFL OROY has been a quarterback. That was Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016.

Murray Caught in A Clap Trap

Call it a habit or a nervous tick. Murray claps his hands before taking the snap out of the shotgun formation.

NFL officials are calling it illegal procedure. Murray was flagged twice for false starts in Thursday’s game for this infraction, even though Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury discussed the matter with the striped shirts prior to the game.

Kyler Murray is being flagged for clapping. Kliff Kingsbury even tried to brief the officials before the game. What a circus. pic.twitter.com/b1nGUsRe4m

— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) August 16, 2019

Last season, QBs were called for false starts just eight times all year long.

It’s eerily reminiscent of the dilemma that fellow Heisman Trophy winner and height-challenged QB Doug Flutie got caught up in when he made his NFL bow with the Chicago Bears.

The Bears numbered their holes for running plays from the opposite side to what Flutie was accustomed to at Boston College. He’d often turn to his right to hand off the ball on a play that was going to the left.

Take a Flyer on a Runner

Murray assuredly remains the overwhelming favorite to win the NFL OROY.

However, that doesn’t mean someone else couldn’t win.

Take a look at some of the running backs if it’s a price you seek.

Miles Sanders has a 3 lane highway to run through on his first carry versus the Jaguars. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/LZ0phrpJDj

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 15, 2019

David Montgomery of the Bears and Miles Sanders of the Philadelphia Eagles should eventually become the go-to back for their teams. If Todd Gurley’s knee continues to be an issue, Darrell Henderson of the Los Angeles Rams could prove a real sleeper.

Three of the last four NFL OROY were running backs, including Gurley in 2015.

It’s Murray’s to Lose

The hand clapping was far from Murray’s only issue. In four series at the helm, Murray engineered -13 yards of offense and was sacked for a safety.

He also isn’t the first rookie QB to stumble.

Last year, Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns – like Murray a Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma and a #1 overal NFL Draft pick – endured a dismal Week 3 preseason performance. He was intercepted once, picked off twice and finished with a passer rating of 49.3.

Kyler Murray Key Stats

Carolina’s Cam Newton, the 2011 NFL OROY, finished preseason that year with one TD pass, four sacks and a passer rating of 64.9.

Every move Murray makes will be over-scrutinized. Don’t give up on him after one bad week.

This is still his award to lose.