Despite a successful rookie year, second year Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray was given a very low initial overall Madden rating (77) entering the 2021 season.
With not much else going on in the world of sports these days, sports junkies and online gamers alike have come together to argue on the most important news of the off-season: Madden 21 ratings. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray deserves one of the stronger arguments for a better rating.
Despite being named the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year after putting up incredible numbers in his debut season, Kyler Murray is ranked only one point higher than incoming Cincinnati Bengals QB, Joe Burrow — who has yet to take a single snap in the NFL. His 77 overall rating has him ranked 21st among all NFL QBs.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s First Take, Murray addressed his disapproval of his Madden rating. “Honestly, I thought ya’ll were joking. … I can’t really say everything I want to say on the air right now,” he said. “I kind of take it as disrespect … but like I said, it is what it is, I’ll let my play speak for itself, so hopefully it’ll bump up during the year.”
Murray, an avid online gamer who usually streams his gameplay via the Twitch platform, has every right to be upset. He’s starting the new year with the same rating he ended with last year. When the 2019 campaign ended, Murray had amassed 3,722 yards passing, completing 64.4% of his passes. He also tossed 20 TDs to 12 interceptions. His footwork also chipped in as he rushed for 544 yards and adding 4 TDs on the ground. He became just the second rookie in NFL history to throw for over 3,500 yards and run for 500 yards.
“Someone in the Madden office is holding me back,” he later added.
Certainly, as the year progresses, the ratings are updated based on performance on the field. And there is no doubt Murray & Co. will succeed in attaining higher ratings. But Kyler Murray is right, it feels as if there is a sort of disrespect when it comes to this team. But after a 5-10-1 season, the Redbirds have a chance to the right the ship and not only update their ratings, but turn some heads as well, as they battle in the stacked NFC West.