It couldn’t happen, right?
…Right?
After the Arizona Cardinals informed their former face of the franchise, Kyler Murray, that the quarterback would be released once the new NFL season opened next Monday, the next question was where he would play next.
Would he go to the New York Jets? Miami Dolphins? Go be a veteran in Las Vegas for Fernando Mendoza on the Raiders?
Well, he could be playing for an organization that moved from Oakland to Las Vegas, but not for the Raiders.
Before Murray was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, he was selected No. 9 in the 2018 MLB Draft by the then Oakland Athletics. Although they’ve moved from Oakland to Sacramento and will be permanently transferring to Las Vegas in two years, they still own the rights to Murray’s baseball career.
While the Arizona Cardinals are on the hook for over $30 million guaranteed money to Murray’s bank account next year, he could opt to go back to baseball and take on the St. Louis Cardinals.
Although seemingly outlandish, as Murray hasn’t played baseball seriously in over half a decade, it’s not impossible.
On Wednesday, Athletics general manager David Forst was asked about Murray’s availability.
Instead of shutting down the rumors, he kicked open the door for the talented athlete if he thought about picking up the bat and glove again.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback, and I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career," Forst told MLB.com on Wednesday. "That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we're always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A's if that time ever comes."
Financially, regardless of what Murray does next year, he will be making money from the Cardinals.
His decision now is whether he wants to continue his NFL career as possibly a backup on another team or a stopgap for a team at the bottom of the standings, or if the Athletics’ open invitation entices him enough to pull the trigger on what would be one of the most interesting stories of 2026.
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