Kyler Murray
Getty
Kyler Murray could take a drastically different turn in 2026.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is at a career crossroads in the NFL amid a pending cut, and he will likely play for a different team in 2026.
That team may not be a football squad for the former No. 1 pick from Oklahoma. Murray was a two-sport athlete as a baseball star, too, and Athletics general manager David Forst has invited him back. The then-Oakland Athletics selected Murray with the No. 9 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, and he signed a contract with the organization but opted to focus on football.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback, and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Forst said via 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.”
According to MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos, the A’s persisted with Murray right up until he declared for the NFL Draft. Murray lost out on most of his $4.66 million signing bonus with the A’s because of the MLB restricted list when he opted out, and the A’s kept Murray’s rights in the process, Gallegos noted.
Kyler Murray
GettyKyler Murray took practice swings for the A’s after being drafted in 2018.
An outfielder, Murray’s last season with the Sooners looked solid with a .290 batting average, 10 home runs, and 47 RBI in 2018, the same year he won the Heisman Trophy with the football team. Overall, Murray hit .261 for 10 home runs, and 53 RBI with the Sooners.
The A’s have a vested interest in being open to a star athlete such as Murray because the franchise is in a major transition between playing in Oakland and setting up shop in Las Vegas for the 2028 season.
Kyle Murray Still Has NFL Suitors
As disconcerting as it could be for a former No. 1 pick to land on the waiver wire, Murray will have demand this offseason.
Teams that have shown interest in Murray include the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Dolphins are poised to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, the Vikings aren’t satisfied with J.J. McCarthy, the Rams need a future quarterback after Matthew Stafford, and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers might retire.
Murray has a 67.1% completion rate for his career, along with 20,460 yards passing for 121 touchdowns versus 60 interceptions. He has 3,193 yards rushing for 32 touchdowns in that span.
Murray hasn’t been durable and hasn’t delivered wins. He played five games last season amid injury and being benched, as Jacoby Brissett took over.
In seven seasons, Murray has only played 16 or 17 games three times, and he only has one season of winning football, a 9-5 mark in 2021. Otherwise, he had a losing season in all of the other years except for an 8-8 record in 2020. His overall record is 38-48-1, and Murray has been through two head coaches already.
Money Factor
If Murray went back to baseball, he would have to work his way through the minor leagues.
That’s not NFL money, even compared to a one-year prove-it deal. Murray has $36.8 million guaranteed from the Cardinals this year. A strong 2026 season could land a big contract for 2027. He more than likely won’t see similar money for years with the Athletics or at all.