ARIZONA CARDINALS

Kyler Murray channels Baby Yoda, later says he’s never seen ‘Star Wars’

Sep 19, 2021, 2:51 PM | Updated: 5:48 pm

It all started with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray talking about teammate Chandler Jones and his ability to get to the quarterback.

“I expect it on Sunday. He’s a really unorthodox guy,” Murray said Wednesday. “When takes his shirt off, he doesn’t look too good. He makes plays on Sunday. He gets after the quarterback. He’s one of those dudes who’s really instinctual, and he’s an expert at rushing the passer. I’m glad he’s on my team, but he doesn’t surprise me with any of that. During practice, he tries to take it easy on me.”

In response, Jones referred to Murray on Twitter as “Baby Yoda.”

The reason? Unclear.

But Murray seemed to be adopting it.

After scoring the Cardinals’ second touchdown of the day on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, Murray followed up a 12-yard rushing touchdown with a quick seat for some end zone meditation.

The nod was noticed.

But Murray said after the game that the celebration was not in reference to the character from “The Mandalorian” television series set in the “Star Wars” universe. The quarterback, in fact, has never seen any “Star Wars” content.

“I got to my phone and I see people talking about Baby Yoda — I had no clue what that was,” Murray said. “I wasn’t intending to do that because of that. I’ve never watched ‘Star Wars’ before so I don’t know.”

The Cardinals beat the Vikings 34-33. Jones gave Murray another shoutout after the game with his new nickname.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings with wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) motions during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Darrell Daniels during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) pulls in a touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) avoids the tackles of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3)pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) signals first down after his catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) tries to elude the tackle of Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) avoids the tackle of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Praterf (5), celebrates his field goal with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) 
              Arizona Cardinals fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
            
              Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt watches from the sidelines against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
            Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) celebrates a defensive stop with defensive back Kris Boyd (29) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with free safety Harrison Smith (22) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) run back an interception for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) takes off his helmet after throwing an interception against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is hit by Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green pulls in a catch as Minnesota Vikings defensive back Bashaud Breeland (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) scores against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Minnesota Vikings free safety Xavier Woods (23) runs after an interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) hits Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates his hit on Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) recovers his own fumble as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden and defensive end J.J. Watt (99) make the hit during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) eludes the tackles of Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) upends Arizona Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams (87) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) cheers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) pulls in a catch as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) makes a catch has Arizona Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford (23) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles as Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a go-ahead field goal as punter Andy Lee (14) holds during the second half of an NFL football game agaisnt the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) celebrates his go-ahead field goal with punter Andy Lee (14) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Jonathan Ward #29 of the Arizona Cardinals does a back flip as teammates celebrate on the field after the Minnesota Vikings missed on their game-winning field goal attempt in the fourth quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) attempts a game-winning field goal as punter Jordan Berry (3) holds during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Joseph missed and the Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings punter Jordan Berry (3) consoles kicker Greg Joseph (1) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) talks with Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker celebrates after Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts to missing a game-winning field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts to missing a game-winning field goal attempt against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels (81) and Arizona Cardinals safety James Wiggins celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts after missing a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)

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