Kyler Murray vs. Matthew Stafford QB debate returns with NFL Pro Bowl selections, snubs

The NFL Pro Bowl rosters were announced Wednesday and with it came a renewal of the Kyler Murray vs. Matthew Stafford debate.

Murray, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback, was among three quarterbacks to make the NFC Pro Bowl roster.

Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback, was not (he was named an alternate for the Feb. 6 game).

Many were not happy with what they perceived as a snub for Stafford in favor of Murray.

Several writers explained why they felt Stafford should have been selected over Murray in NFL Pro Bowl snub stories, rekindling a debate about which quarterback has had the better season that was first put in motion by ESPN's Dan Orlovsky earlier this month:

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USA TODAY Sports: Matthew Stafford deserves spot over Kyler Murray

Doug Farrar wrote: "In his first season in Sean McVay’s system, Stafford has looked like a quarterback renewed — only Tom Brady (36) has more touchdowns than Stafford’s 35 in the NFL this season, and Stafford has connected marvelously with his receivers (especially Cooper Kupp) despite an offensive line and run game that has not always been top-notch, and McVay’s weird over-reliance on empty formations early in the season. … Murray has played well at times, but overall, Stafford has been the superior quarterback. Murray has 20 touchdown passes to Stafford’s 35, and both quarterbacks have thrown 10 interceptions."

NFL.com: Kyler Murray over Matthew Stafford is interesting choice

Nick Shook wrote: "Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers certainly deserve their Pro Bowl nods, but the choice of Kyler Murray over Stafford is interesting. Murray has been in the MVP conversation for much of 2021 (though he might have fallen out of it in recent weeks), yet Stafford has a better statistical résumé than Murray. Stafford's Rams are also right on the heels of the Cardinals in the race for the NFC West, and Stafford outplayed Murray in their most recent meeting, which came as Pro Bowl voting was closing. There's no doubt, however, that Stafford's move to Los Angeles has elevated the Rams in both prestige and performance."

More: Kyler Murray's leadership 'deficiencies' concerning for former Cardinals quarterback

Pro Football Talk: Matthew Stafford seemed like lock for Pro Bowl

Charean Williams writes: "Matthew Stafford made only one Pro Bowl in his 12 years in Detroit. He continues to wait for his second Pro Bowl nod, which seemed like a lock in his first season with the Rams. Players, coaches and fans selected Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray over Stafford, even though Murray missed three games this season."

CBS Sports: Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray both deserve to be in Pro Bowl

Jordan Dajani writes: "Brady and Aaron Rodgers were going to make the Pro Bowl, but the voters opted to go with Kyler Murray over Stafford. It makes sense. Before Murray's injury, he was probably the MVP favorite. But now, he's lost three out of his last four starts and just got outperformed by Stafford head-to-head a couple weeks ago. By the way, if we are ignoring time missed, then put Derrick Henry in the Pro Bowl, too. Stafford is now third in the NFL in passing yards (4,142), second in passing touchdowns (35) and has the second-highest passer rating of starting quarterbacks behind Rodgers (108.2). Murray is a rising star, but Stafford's late run could steal the division away from the Arizona Cardinals, and he could be better set up for a deep postseason run. Both are deserved, but there's just one spot available. It makes for an interesting debate among fans in the NFC West. Vince Young still has more Pro Bowl appearances than Stafford."

More: Arizona Cardinals slammed as 'frauds' after embarrassing NFL Week 15 loss to Detroit Lions

Rams Wire: Matthew Stafford a huge snub for Pro Bowl

Cameron DaSilva wrote: "Stafford is having a tremendous first season with the Rams, throwing 35 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and racking up 4,142 yards in his first 14 games. He had a poor three-game stretch against the Titans, 49ers and Packers, but he’s been a stud at quarterback this year."

SB Nation: Matthew Stafford has better stats than Kyler Murray

Blane Dydasco wrote: "In Week 14 Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams beat Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals 30-23. Today we know that Murray has been voted to the Pro Bowl and Stafford has been left out. Here are a few comparisons that show why of the two, Stafford should have been voted ahead of Murray. Murray missed a couple games to injury while Stafford played in all fourteen games to this point. While injury is largely out of the players control, we’ll compare stats by overall and by percentage and per game basis starting with the most recent head to head matchup in which both quarterbacks played in all four quarters."

More: Arizona Cardinals' Kliff Kingsbury placing himself on NFL hot seat with late-season woes?

Some also sounded off on social media over Kyler Murray's selection over Matthew Stafford:

Before the Rams played the Cardinals earlier this month Orlovsky addressed the Stafford vs. Murray debate, saying: “Kyler Murray is awesome. He’s going to be a superstar for a long time. And he’s having a nice season. Matthew Stafford’s having a better season. He's having a better season. Matthew Stafford you just said is second in the league … when it comes to touchdowns. Give me Matthew Stafford."

Which QB do you think is having the better season?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kyler Murray's NFL Pro Bowl selection over Matthew Stafford questioned