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The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly decided they will release quarterback Kyler Murray once the new NFL league year begins on March 11. With that decision looming, questions have started to swirl about whether the 28-year-old could consider a return to Major League Baseball.
Coming out of the University of Oklahoma, Murray was drafted by the Cardinals in the NFL, but he was also selected by the then-Oakland Athletics in the MLB Draft.
Murray went No. 1 overall to Arizona in April 2019, but he had already been taken No. 9 overall by the Athletics the year before.
However, Murray ultimately decided to forgo his MLB career, opting to sign a four-year, $35 million rookie deal with the Cardinals. In doing so, he forfeited the majority of the $4.66 million signing bonus he had received from the Athletics. He later signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with the Cardinals in 2022.
With his release now approaching, though, Murray’s opportunities could be wide open — including a possible return to baseball with the Athletics, who still retain his MLB rights.
Athletics general manager David Forst says the door would remain open if Murray ever wanted to explore that path.
Athletics GM Leaves Door Open for Kyler Murray MLB Return
Forst didn’t necessarily mince words when asked about the possibility of Murray returning to baseball.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Forst said, per MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos. “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.”
Murray’s baseball talent was never really in question.
In his final season playing outfield for the Sooners, he hit .296 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 51 games. His athleticism and speed made him one of the most intriguing two-sport prospects in years.
Still, football always appeared to be the preferred path.
At Oklahoma, Murray won the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the best player in college football. He followed that up by winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year during his first season with the Cardinals and eventually earned two Pro Bowl selections.
Given that résumé, it’s easy to understand why Murray chose football over baseball when the decision had to be made.
NFL Opportunities Likely Await Kyler Murray
Even with his release looming, Murray is expected to have interest from teams around the NFL.
Part of that appeal comes from his talent. The other factor is his contract situation.
The five-year, $230.5 million extension he signed with Arizona still has time remaining, and the Cardinals will be responsible for a large portion of that money. Murray is owed $38.8 million guaranteed for the 2026 season, which could allow another team to sign him to a more team-friendly deal.
Because of that dynamic, Murray could quickly emerge as one of the more intriguing quarterbacks on the market.
The Athletic recently listed five potential landing spots for the former Cardinals quarterback: the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns.
If Murray ultimately lands with one of those teams — or another quarterback-needy franchise — it would likely signal that his football career still has plenty of chapters left.
And if that ends up being the case, the idea of Murray returning to baseball with the Athletics may remain more of a fascinating “what if” than a realistic possibility.
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