We know from watching NFL quarterbacks that, while height is important, they must have other skills as well. They must have good arm strength, great mobility, accuracy, and excellent downfield vision. Kyler Murray may not have the height, but he has all of those other things.
One of the league’s young quarterback sensations, Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals is only 5’10”! There have been some successful quarterbacks that didn’t have height on their resumes. This list includes Drew Brees (6’0”), Russell Wilson (5’11”), and Doug Flutie (5’10”)
Many armchair quarterbacks are talking about Kyler Murray’s height, but also about his ability to be the quarterback and leader the Arizona Cardinals needed!
Keep reading to find out everything about Kyler Murray: height, early life, college years, and his journey to the NFL.
Is Kyler Murray the shortest QB in the NFL?
Kyler Murray is a talented all-around athlete with a cannon of an arm and incredible speed and mobility. His height in feet is 5’10”, which puts him in the current shortest quarterback position in the NFL.
Shorter quarterbacks are definitely not rare. Denver Broncos starter Russell Wilson stands at 5’11”, and while no current starters are exactly six feet tall, several are just a bit taller at 6’1″. This group includes San Francisco 49ers breakout star Brock Purdy, NFC Champion Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa. The title for the shortest quarterback in NFL history is shared by Eddie LeBaron, who played in the 1950s, and Davey O’Brien, who played in the late 1930s; both were 5’7″ tall.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
How It All Started in Texas?
Kyler Murray was born and raised in Bedford, Texas. He attended Allen High School in Allen, Texas, where he was recognized for his many accomplishments on the football field. He won the country-wide Gatorade Player of the Year Award, given to outstanding student-athletes, and was named Mr. Texas Football—twice.
Murray was also a top prospect in baseball, playing at shortstop and second base. Many believed he had the potential to become a starter in Major League Baseball, drawing comparisons to Bo Jackson, who was an All-Star as a baseball player and a football player.
Also read: NFL Fans Are Praying For Kyler Murray After Horrifying Tragedy
What Was Kyler Murray’s College Career Like?
Kyler Murray started his college career as a true freshman at Texas A&M in 2015.
In his first start with Texas A&M, in a game against South Carolina, Murray had a big game. He threw for 223 yards, rushed for 156 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns—1 passing TD and 1 rushing TD. This made him one of only two Southeastern Conference quarterbacks in 20 years to gain more than 100 rushing and passing yards in a game.
Transferring to the University of Oklahoma in late 2015, Murray had to miss the entire 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He joined the Oklahoma Sooners football team in 2017 and was given the opportunity to play in some games that year.
A Breakout Year
In 2018, Kyler Murray became the starting quarterback for the Sooners. That year, he threw for an impressive 4,000 yards for a whopping 40 touchdowns! But that’s not all—he also rushed for over 1,000 yards and had 12 rushing TDs. People were taking notice of Kyler Murray despite his height.
Was Murray Drafted In Baseball?
Despite the success Kyler Murray had on the football field, some Major League Baseball teams still had their eye on him. The Oakland Athletics drafted him 9th overall in the 2018 MLB draft. However, after winning the Heisman trophy in 2018 with the Oklahoma Sooners, he decided to enter the NFL draft.
Kyler Murray’s Height Doesn’t Stop Him From Going Pro
Kyler Murray entered the NFL draft in 2019 with an impressive ranking. In an unsurprising move, the Arizona Cardinals drafted him first overall. They put their quarterback hopes in the 2nd shortest quarterback in the draft.
Because of his height, some people were skeptical that Kyler Murray could make it in a league where quarterbacks were over 6’2″, and some were even as tall as 6’6″. Despite the height concerns, the team trusted in his abilities as an athlete and signed Murray to a $35.2 million 4-year contract.
Also read: 10 Most OVERRATED Quarterbacks In The NFL Today (2024 EDITION)
Rookie Year
Murray proved the doubters wrong. He won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award after passing for 3,722 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and rushing for 544 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. Not bad for a short guy.
Showing Greatness
Kyler Murray continued to impress during his 2020 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time, even though the game was canceled due to pandemic restrictions.
In 2021, Murray took the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs, in a wild-card matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. During the game he struggled with his passing game, throwing for only 137 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Cardinals lost the game, but Kyler Murray’s star was still rising. There was no doubt that he helped them win games. He was the quarterback they used to believe in.
How Much Does Kyler Murray Get Paid?
Even after their playoff loss in 2021, the Arizona Cardinals were confident they had a game-changer at quarterback in Kyler Murray. Though not the tallest, Murray compensated with his exceptional mobility, accuracy, and overall athleticism.
In July 2022, the team rewarded him with a massive five-year, $230 million contract, underscoring their commitment to him as their current and future quarterback. This extension, worth $230.5 million and extending through 2028, shows their belief in Murray’s potential. Murray’s contract guarantees him a $35.3 million salary for the next season and an additional $11.9 million for 2025, provided he remains on the roster by March 17, 2024.
What Is Kyler Murray’s Weight?
When discussing Kyler Murray, his height is frequently mentioned, but once he’s on the field, it’s his performance that stands out. Kyler Murray weighs 94 kg (207 lbs), and he demonstrates that success in the NFL isn’t solely about height. His dynamic playmaking skills, both in passing and rushing, continually impress and challenge the notion that only taller quarterbacks can thrive.
