Kurt Warner Talks Kyler Murray, Cardinals & MORE!

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2:02Whitney Costos on Westwood One Sports. Friend of the show, my fellow Fordham Ram and Greek Freak. Spiro Dietis with the call last year on CBS. Kyler Murray taking his talents to Minnesota. Be the starting quarterback of the Vikings this season. This segment on you better, you bet sponsored by Progressive Commercial Insurance. Protecting your business vehicles 24-7. See if you can save at ProgressiveCommercial.com. Joining us right now to discuss Kyler Murray to the Vikings. And the rest of the Cummings and Goings and the National Football League. One of our absolute favorites here on the show. Pro football, Hall of Famer. Super Bowl Champion. Westwood One NFL Analyst, NFL Media, The Legendary, and the very, very nice Kurt Warner joining us on the show on Twitter at Kurt Thirteen Warner. Kurt, thanks for joining the Costos here on Westwood One Sports again. How's it going, my friend? Happy Friday. Good to join you. Life is good. Get back from a little vacation with my grandkids

3:02and get back into the spring of the football aspect of things and getting ready for the draft. Where'd you guys go on vacation? We just went to New York City. It was one of our favorites to pop in for three or four days. And at a daughter that went to school there. So we just went out there for a few days. Whether it was beautiful, walked around, caught a couple of shows, ate some good food. It was a really good time. Do you realize by the way? Because I live in New York City. You guys threaded the needle in unbelievable fashion. This has been the coldest winter since the mid-90s. I lived here my whole life. I think you were here for the two days where it was like 70 degrees. Do you realize how lucky that is? You guys killed it with that timing. You're exactly right. We were looking before we left and we thought maybe we'll get a break and then we left yesterday morning and it started to turn and get cold again and we're like, man, how fortunate we're we that we were able to be outside and walk around

4:02with the grandkids. It got cold. Who knows what would happen. So we were very fortunate and we recognized that for sure. It snowed yesterday. I didn't stick. I was actually snowing again here anyway. Onto football. Onto the good stuff. Kurt would love to get your thought. I love it. I opened the show with it. I think the Vikings will be a playoff team with Kyler Murray this year at quarterback. What does Kurt Warner's take Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings and what it means for them this season? You know, obviously, that's a watch in close and in personal. You know, this is from for a number of years now. And I think, you know, he's so physically talented and that's not just his ability to run around and create. He is extremely talented and gifted as a thrower. Can make every throw. Can make different kinds of throws.

5:02Doesn't have to overthrow the football. It's a catchable football. So, you know, so there's so many things to like. You know, when Kyler knows where he wants to go with the football. I mean, he knows where that number one read is and that guy's open. He's going to make that throw most of the time. The question with Kyler continues to be, OK, Winnie's forced to play inside the pocket and he's got to read and process and work through his progressions. What level can he play at consistently? And so that to me is the question here, you know, because that's the way the Minnesota Vikings offense has been. Now he's with a, you know, great play caller and great play designer and Kevin O'Connell that's had a lot of success with a lot of guys. But a lot of their success has been inside the pocket, throwing the football down the field and working through their progressions. And so, you know, as much as I'm intrigued by this, because the success that they've had with the passing offense in Minnesota

6:02and the moments I've seen from Kyler, to me, ultimately, how far they go and how good this is is going to be determined in my opinion by where Kyler is as a quarterback and how he's able to play more conventional quarterback than all the creative stuff. If you had to guess Kurt and there's a lot of projection that goes into this right and this can be a pencil, not pen answer. You can reserve the right to change your mind whenever you'd like. Just curious where you stand right now and how you think this is going to go for Kyler this year in Minnesota with Kevin O'Connell coaching him up. If I asked you right now, say yes or no, do you think the Minnesota Vikings will make the playoffs this year? I'm on record saying yes, I think they're a playoff team. Do you think the Vikings will make the playoffs or miss the playoffs this year with Kyler Murray? Yeah, I mean, so many things to see and how this team shows up and, you know, what it looks like when they come to play. But I mean, I think that the natural response is yes.

7:03I mean, you know, two years ago with Sam Donner, when they got really good quarterback play, they win 14 games. Last year with the up and down and the struggles of JJ McCartney throughout the year, they win nine games and, you know, just out of the playoff picture. And so, you know, to know what Kyler Murray has done and, you know, how talented he is, I think you say, well, they're going to get better quarterback play than they got a year ago. And so if the team is, you know, again, I know they've lost some guys and who would they bring all that stuff. If the team around him is as good as it was last year, I think the answer has to be yes. They're going to win. I would say at least a couple more games because of Kyler's ability, which would make them a playoffs theme. And so I would, I would venture to lean in the direction of yes as well. Bob, it does make me feel good. I will admit when a, when a pro football Hall of Fame quarterback agrees with my stance, at least early in the off season, right? On a team making the playoffs.

8:04Both Kirk Warner and yours truly at this moment that I'm good. I don't put much stock in myself when I haven't lost a team play. So I hate when we show up before games have been played and tell them who's going to make the playoffs and who are you going to pick for the Super Bowl? Like I need to see him play. So I don't put much stock in what I'm saying in the off season either. And we're just speculating on this team being what they were, that defense being as good as they were last year. So a lot of things can change. I just think they're going to get their quarterback play. And if that's the sole factor, then they're probably a playoffs. I appreciate you being humble and saying that. And like we all have watched you in the public eye for a long time. We know you believe it. I will not be humble about your opinion. I am happy that you share my opinion. I'm going to put stock in your opinion, as it stands right now. Some other quarterback news curve would love to get your thought on. Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins obviously gets like a, like not a huge money contract. But hasn't played a lot of football. Dolphins may not be very good this year.

9:04What about Malik Willis as the new quarterback for the Miami Dolphins? Well, I mean, I think the one thing, I mean, I went back and watched Malik's throws over the last couple of years. And you know, it was going to be a hard evaluation for people that hadn't been around Malik Willis. And I did try to determine what he was as a quarterback. But you know, it was strong. And I am. Kenny, let's see if we can pick up Kurt. Get Kurt, sell situated and we'll bring Kurt Warner back on to the show in a moment here. So I think Kurt's driving maybe going through a bad area. We'll make sure the Kurt Warner sell services a little better. We'll bring Kurt back on to the air in a moment here on you better, you bet. The Malik Willis situation is incredibly fascinating with Miami. And I think my strongest opinion right now on Malik Willis and the 2026 Miami Dolphins. Is that Malik is going to be a top 10 fantasy quarterback this year? I think that's my strongest opinion because even if he doesn't throw for a lot of yards,

10:08he's going to run for what's the minimum number of yards Malik Willis runs for every game? 70. 80. Even with Bobby Slowick calling the plays, people might be down on Bobby Slowick. I think Malik Willis can at least have a nice that year running the football. If not getting there with the wins and losses, Kurt Warner is back with us. Kurt, you were saying that you had watched the film on Malik Willis and he's a hard evaluation. Please continue. Yeah, I mean, there was like 28 throws that I pulled out that I thought, okay, there's not the number one read. There's a wide receiver running that screen. I actually had to, you know, stay in the pocket and read things out. And that's where it got tough for me is that if somebody hadn't been around him, but we know that Miami coaches have been around him. So they probably have a way better feel on who he is than maybe us that are trying to evaluate him and evaluate him in a backup role. But it was a tough evaluation because you saw some really good and you saw some,

11:09oh man, he's got to be better at this. He's got to do this better as a starting quarterback. And so I don't know. I really don't know what he's going to be. I really don't know what he is at this time. So your point, he's got all the physical ability. That's not the question. The question is consistently when you have to show up and you have to throw the ball 35 or 40 times a game, can you be that guy? Can you make the right decisions? Can you make the right throw over and over again? And that's what I don't think anybody really knows outside of maybe the people that were in that building. Nick Costos, you better, you bet Westwood ones sports on this Friday. Our guest, Prof. Paul Hall of Famer, Westwood one NFL analyst, the legendary Kurt Warner. You know, Kurt, I talked about the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this weekend. You know, they, they signed to Quan Prisker, they signed Jamel Dean, trade four, and then extend Michael Pittman. So some moves that I think on paper you can look at and be like, oh, I like all of this. It makes me excited. The fact that Aaron Rogers might be, and this is just my opinion, right?

12:10And I'm a huge Aaron Rogers fan. It feels to me like you bring Aaron Rogers back and you're trying to go nine and eight. I don't know if like the upside scenario is there for Aaron Rogers. And how excited I'm going to be about the Steelers if Aaron Rogers is the quarterback this coming season. If the Steelers do bring back Aaron Rogers, he returns. How are you going to feel about the Steelers heading into the season? Well, I mean, I, I'll feel like I think this is the team they can push for the playoffs. I don't believe this is a team that can push for a championship. And that's not necessarily because of Aaron Rogers. You know, I'm not sure there's a quarterback out there that would make them a championship team. I just based off of what I've seen the last couple years. This team as a whole, even though like you said, I like a couple of their moves. And maybe that makes them a little better football team. I haven't seen a team that, you know, between the line says this is a championship team. And so I think that's the dilemma that you face if you're a Mike McCarthy.

13:12In this situation is that, you know, this team has been a winning football team, quote unquote, you know, better than 500 football team for 20 years. So do you come in in your first year and are you willing to go, OK, we're not going to bring Aaron back and we're going to go with some young quarterback. Or maybe some, you know, journeyman veteran backup that we can get on the roster. And are we willing to rebuild so to speak in my first year, retool in my first year and not be a winning football team after we've won for 20 years, even though it may be the best thing for us three years down the road. Are you willing to go that route? And I think that's the hard thing because I was coming into the coach. I would want my first year to be under 500 and bad up to the standard that they've had for 20 years when you know that they made that move or, you know, that might walk away. I think because of that pressure of being a championship team. And so I do believe Aaron Rogers gives you the best chance to be a better football team.

14:17I just don't know if that's what you need in terms of building something long term and figuring out what that answer a quarterback is to replace big band and get back to championship form. I was just thinking about the the game that you guys played in Arizona against Aaron Rogers, Mike McCarthy and the Packers 5549. One of the greatest most entertaining games in NFL playoff history. Shout out to Carlos Danzby on the pick six to win that game. Kurt, what did you make of the Max Crosby situation this week with the Ravens and the Raiders? I think I understand all of it. You know, I don't think it's obviously I think. You know, talk about trades and say a trade has happened before the physical goes down. Because I understand that part is, hey, we want to go get Max Crosby. We're willing to give up, you know, whatever to go get him because the kind of player he is.

15:17And then, you know, you have a physical and you have a number of people look at it and, you know, there's some people that are concerned about it. And that's a lot to give up for somebody that you're concerned about. And doesn't mean he's not on track. Doesn't mean he's not going to be great moving forward. It might have just been a, we don't think it's as bad as, you know, we don't think it's that bad. So we're going to make this trade. And then you have some people that have some trepidation. And I get it. And it's like, hey, we're not comfortable with this at this price. We're going to move away from it. And, you know, it's a bummer for both sides. It's a bummer for the timing of everything. But I mean, I think if you're realistic, you have to understand, you know, why, you know, the Ravens were, you know, you could have a little bit of pause there after, you know, having a number of doctors see it. And, you know, I'm sure some were like, oh, you know, we're not really worried about it. He's right where he's supposed to be. And others were like, and this is a concern at this age and the kind of surgery this was.

16:20So I see both sides of it. Obviously not ideal. I wish they could do the physicals before they went down that path. And they announced these kinds of things, but unfortunately it happens backwards. And you have to understand why, you know, something like that could take place. The current final question, 30 seconds. And, you know, the two teams that you played primarily for in your NFL career, right? The Rams and the Cardinals. The Rams are loaded for bear, like love what they did, Trent McGuffy, Jalen Watts, and they're clearly trying to win the Super Bowl. A lot of people right now disappointed in what the Arizona Cardinals have done. It looks like it looks like still time. Going to roll into the season with Jacobi, Percent and Gardner, Minshew is the quarterbacks. What do you think about what the Cardinals have done here, the plan at quarterback? And what would your message be to Cardinals fans in about 30 seconds? Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, you got a new coach. Obviously you're you're making a change at quarterback. And this is a rebuilding project that it's about building a team. And then getting your quarterback is I believe the way they're going about this. Now they might draft somebody high and say, Hey, we convinced this guy can be our guy in the future. But I think you have to look at it from that perspective.

17:31I know we all want to win right now, but this team hasn't been a good football team. I think they've come in with the new coach and said, Hey, we're going to try to build this team first. And then we will find a quarterback that we believe can lead us where we want to go after that. And so there's going to just have to be a little bit of patience for the fan base. What's the what's the best thing you ate in New York City, 20 seconds? Oh, man, we had all kinds of good stuff. We went to every kind of restaurants. But I tell you what, after a show, late at night with my grandkids, grabbing a slice of pie on the way home is never a bad thing. God bless you, man. I absolutely love it. And I'm happy you caught the gray weather in New York City for the two days that we've had it in the past four months. Kurt, you're the best, you're generous with your time. Thank you very much and look forward to catching up again. Alright, take care. Kurt Warner joining us here on the show Westwood onesports and a finalist and also profile ball of favor.

18:32You know which ones more important. I loved Kurt's answer there at the end about the Arizona Cardinals. He basically in a very, very nice way said, yeah, like the Cardinals are going to be terrible this year. And they're going to try to get their quarter back next year, which obviously make makes a lot of sense. I don't know if it makes, if it makes Cardinals fans feel any better about what this next season is about to be. Cardinals and the dolphins, I think will be the two primary teams. Hashtag marching for arch for the number one pick in next year's NFL draft. Our one done our two for you coming up on the other side. We will start the hour with me telling you why both Auburn and Miami of Ohio should make the answer. This is Westwood onesports. The following is sponsored by BitMyListing. Selling your home with ready, REDY, real estate agents will pay you upfront for your listing just for a chance to sell your home.

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20:40It does seem to me that there is some awakening of a desire to act together to solve problems where they are. You know, I am a believer in America, and it's worth fighting for. Join me Wednesdays on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm PJ vote, and I want to tell you about my podcast Search Engine. We try to make sense of the world, one question at a time. No question too big, no question too small. We will even answer your questions if you send them in. Stuff like, what happens when a cemetery goes out of business? What should we do about teens using AI to do their homework? Who buys luggage at the airport luggage store? Follow and listen to Search Engine in partnership with Odyssey, wherever you get your podcasts. The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports. Right now, the NBA is heating up, March Manus is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app.

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