Although the official next season of the NFL hasn’t begun yet, the Arizona Cardinals have told former franchise quarterback Kyler Murray that he will be released once the transaction windows open for the 2026 campaign.
It is a quiet, uncomfortable divorce between Murray and the Cardinals, neither of whom found the success they hoped to bring to the state of Arizona after selecting him No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Each time it seemed like Murray and the Cardinals were ready to contend in the always challenging NFC West, the QB would get injured or something would go wrong at the worst possible time.
With the Seattle Seahawks reigning Super Bowl champions, and the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers among the other best teams in football, the Cardinals are officially looking towards the future.
While it was a difficult day for Murray, it isn’t all bad. He is guaranteed to make over $36 million next year from the Cardinals, regardless of where or if he plays.
Although Murray is expected to receive multiple calls from QB-needy NFL teams once free agency begins, that’s not his only choice.
Murray, once regarded as an elite baseball prospect, is still under the Athletics’ control. He was drafted No. 9 overall in the 2018 MLB Draft as an elite outfielder with the speed that he became renowned for in football.
In a world where Murray wanted to flip back to baseball, he would not be a free agent. Even though he went pro in the NFL, the Athletics still retain his rights and could strike a deal with the famed signal-caller.
For the Athletics, although it might not make sense on paper, it could be a savvy play business-wise. They are in a minor league ballpark out in Sacramento for two more years before they finally transition to their permanent home of Las Vegas.
They have elite youngsters in Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson, but what if they added Murray to the mix? Even if Murray started in the minor leagues because he was already making a fortune with the Cardinals, it could allow both the player and the team to see if there’s anything there for the former elite prospect.
Although unlikely, there’s a small chance that Kyler Murray is facing the Cardinals next season.
The St. Louis Cardinals.
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