Dan Orlovsky spent the offseason saying he liked the Kyler Murray fit in Minnesota, though he didn’t love it. Eight weeks into 2026, the ESPN analyst has stopped hedging.
On The Pat McAfee Show, he said he does not believe Murray is “an ideal skill set for this position” in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, then went to the part of the job Murray is losing: playing from the pocket.
Thanks for the submission!
“For this offense, you have to be able to turn your back to the defense set up in different spots within the pocket. It’s not just drop back. Re-evaluate what you’re seeing and then execute. Throw the ball to space with great ball placement,”
•
Orlovsky said. “Right now, Kyler from the pocket, the ball placement is just not good enough.”
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Orlovsky’s critique ran past the quarterback. He said “people aren’t open all the time,” argued O’Connell “can’t get people open,” and concluded the coach is “just calling good plays” rather than fully running his offense.
He had made a softer version of the argument in March, telling NFL Live he liked Murray in Minnesota but did not love it, because Kyler Murray calls himself a playmaker while O’Connell wants a “point guard.” In November, the critique has a stat line.
Also read: Kyler Murray makes major $13,750,000 decision after Vikings move as Cardinals face $36.8M QB bill
Kyler Murray-led Vikings handed first loss of 2026 by injury-hit Lions
Detroit beat Minnesota 19-15 at Ford Field on November 1, ending the Vikings’ 11-game win streak and handing them their first loss since November 30, 2025, at Seattle. Murray finished 17 of 29 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and his 35 rushing yards on four carries led the team.
Minnesota totaled 81 on the ground. Detroit did it without All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph, still working back from the physically unable to perform list, with Brian Branch a week into his return and backups on the field late.
Jared Goff hit Jameson Williams for a 7-yard score with 4:35 left, and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 153 yards on 23 carries as the Lions finished with 230 rushing yards.
Kyler Murray’s best stretch in Detroit came on an 84-yard fourth-quarter drive that mixed O’Connell’s staples with Murray’s legs: a 9-yard zone-read keeper, a 51-yard play-action throw to Jordan Addison after Murray held the safety with his eyes, and an 8-yard play-action touchdown to T.J. Hockenson.
Through three quarters, he was 11 of 21 for 126 yards with a touchdown and a pick. O’Connell has given no sign he is changing quarterbacks. Minnesota hosts Buffalo on Monday night, a day before the trade deadline, with the offense still the question a 6-1 record cannot answer.
Edited by Prasen
