Charley Casserly Seems To Have Backtracked On All His Negative Kyler Murray Comments In A Big Way

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Kyler Murray is, arguably, the most intriguing prospect in this year’s NFL Draft. On one day, it’s reported that he’s, allegedly, already a lock to be the No. 1 pick, while on another day, he’s getting blasted for his size or interview skills. Such is the life of an NFL prospect during this silly season.

While there are definitely question marks regarding Kyler Murray heading into the draft, one analyst, former NFL general manager and current NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly, came out and basically ripped the quarterback apart during last week’s NFL Combine. Sure, it’s Casserly’s job to report the news, but he seemed to have a personal vendetta against Murray, revealing that he had talked to teams who weren’t impressed with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

Following Casserly’s comments, Kyler Murray’s former Oklahoma Sooners head coach, Lincoln Riley, came out and supported his guy, coming to the quarterback’s defense and taking slight shots at the NFL analyst for not properly talking to people who have actually coached Murray. Adding to the drama here, Casserly also has a side business that trains prospects for the interviews at the NFL Combine, so it seemed as if he was trying to rep his own company since Kyler Murray isn’t a client of his. It’s all very strange.

Well, in the wake of all the reactions to his initial reports, Charley Casserly has flip-flopped on Kyler Murray in a big way, giving the kid more praise than you would to a kid who just finished his or her first school play. Take a look at Casserly’s backtrack

Per Pro Football Talk:

“Arm strength? He can make all the throws,” Casserly said. “Vision? It’s hard to read vision in this offense but you do see him sit there and have poise in the pocket and be able to see the field. And in running ability, guy is an excellent runner with the football. I think he’s got Russell Wilson arm strength and Russell Wilson running ability. I think this guy has got all the potential in the world to be a successful quarterback in the National Football League. And Mahomes — let’s bring up Mahomes for a second. Compare him and Mahomes on the college tape, I put this guy ahead of Mahomes.”

Uh, what? Where was all this praise for Murray last week, Charley? Even saying he’s “ahead” of reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, it’s clear Casserly is doing some serious damage control after his comments at the NFL Combine.

While the verdict’s still out on Kyler Murray, at least the criticism that may have potentially scared teams away have quieted a bit. But, sheesh, couldn’t those things have all just been avoided to begin with following Casserly’s over-the-top praise of the kid this week?

(H/T Pro Football Talk)