As if the pressure of getting selected first overall in the NFL draft isn’t enough, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has constantly been compared to Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson – a comparison that no doubt comes with a hefty amount of pressure for the youngster.
However, it is easy to see why these comparisons have come about. Both are on the short side for NFL quarterbacks, both have backgrounds in baseball, both are precision passers with above-average vision and scrambling ability and both have cannon arms.
It’s one thing when casual fans or even draft analysts all come to the same comparison, but it’s a whole nother thing when a player sees the similarities – especially a player who has played with both quarterbacks.
That’s what happened when new Cardinals guard J.R. Sweezy – who blocked for Wilson for five of the last six seasons – agreed with said comparison.
“I see hundreds of similarities,” Sweezy told media members on Tuesday. “I always say, we got to see this guy really play. I think he’s going to be just fine. But just to even be compared to Russell Wilson is a huge compliment.”
While Wilson came into the league with considerably less fanfare as an unheralded – and often ridiculed – third-round pick, Murray was one of the most talked about NFL prospects in recent memory.
However, while that might be hard for some players to handle, Sweezy doesn’t think it will impact Murray when it comes to his performance on the field.
“He’s going to back it up,” Sweezy continued. “I just love that he’s getting compared to him already and everything. He’s going to be great.”
The Seahawks and Cardinals will get to see the two quarterbacks face off against each other twice next season, on Sept. 29 and again on Dec. 22.
