NFL insider provides surprising possibility on Kyler Murray’s future

During an NFL mock draft special with ESPN analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, Adam Schefter revealed a shocking update to the Kyler Murray saga with the Arizona Cardinals. According to him, league sources believe baseball will become an option for the young quarterback if no early extension is offered.

While the MLB is currently working through a lockout, and he would not be able to play immediately, his status as a top 10 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft makes him an interesting prospect. Adam Schefter provided the details he has heard about Kyler Murray and his baseball future on Tuesday.

“This Kyler Murray situation just hangs over the entire franchise, with his agent Erik Burkhardt coming out yesterday and saying that Kyler wants to be paid and wants a new contract. And I think there are people around the league who believe that he will use that idea – that if he doesn’t get a contract – that the idea of baseball will be out there. And we know how highly he was drafted in baseball.

“Of course, there is no baseball right now to even consider. But if baseball ever does come back, they think that could be a potential option for Kyler Murray if the Arizona Cardinals don’t give in to his wishes for a new contract. So that whole situation with Kyler Murray just continues to hang over this franchise.”

If Kyler Murray did opt to turn his attention to baseball he would hand his rights to the Oakland Athletics, who took him ninth overall and gave him a $4.66 million signing bonus in 2018 before he opted to play football.

More on Kyler Murray

Kyler Murray, 24, signed a four-year, $35 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals after the franchise took him No. 1 overall. This season is his last year under contract. The Cardinals owe him $965,000 in base salary, plus another $5,897,481 in signing bonus next season. However, after the 2022 season, the Cardinals have the option to pick up his fifth-year team option.

Murray is clearly pursuing a long-term, lucrative contract extension that puts his value on the same level as his peers. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell is firm on keeping Murray as the team’s long-term quarterback.

Whether baseball is simply a tactic to force the Cardinals to commit early or a real possibility remains to be seen over the coming months as the MLB works toward a CBA agreement and the contract talks continue.