The timing of the contract deal between the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray was perfect.
After a long wait through the NFL offseason, Murray got the deal he desired with his team.
The five-year deal gets the young quarterback $230.5 million throughout the term of the deal.
However, his deal isn’t fully guaranteed, like the Deshaun Watson deal in Cleveland.
But it was still a great deal, and one that came at the right time for Murray.
Murray’s Deal Came After Most Quarterback Deals During 2022
With just about every team having their quarterbacks under contract for 2022 and beyond, it was the perfect time for Murray with his deal.
The only other quarterback yet to get a new deal is Lamar Jackson with the Ravens.
So him getting this deal works out with timing, as most others already got their deals.
Deals with Aaron Rodgers and Watson would give the Arizona quarterback the perfect time to ask for his mega deal.
Had the deal come next season, that contract might have been for less money, depending on how he does in 2022.
So the timing of the deal works with him because of the other big contracts with other quarterbacks and because of his possibility of having poor game play or an injury in 2022.
@ColinCowherd the @AZCardinals may have the 💲💲💲to pay @K1 but he's 5'10" and he's going to get hurt just like #RG3 did so there's no way he should get a $100million contract!! He'll be lucky if he's still a #startingQB in 5 years.
— VinnyTerranova (@VinnyTerranov13) April 27, 2022
However, the deal could cost the Cardinals dearly in 2024, a time when they will need money for some important players.
Will Deal With Murray Prevent Them From Keeping DeAndre Hopkins Beyond 2024?
Having two top receivers on the team can clearly help Murray and the Cardinals win games.
However, their workhorse of the receiver core, DeAndre Hopkins, has a contract that expires in 2025.
But with him set to turn 33 that year, would the team want to keep him?
If they did, the early contract talks for him will be interesting, as Murray’s deal affects the cap in 2024.
The 2025 NFL offseason means things will be tough for them in resigning players.
They would need some back loading magic with deals if they keep Hopkins and offer him a deal in 2024.
It could also be an issue if they are still working on fixing their defense when that offseason begins for them.
The Timing Of Murray’s Contract Payout Could Affect His Former Teammate Marquise Brown
Someone who could also feel the effects of the young QBs 2024 cap hit is Marquise Brown.
With the Cardinals taking the fifth-year option on Brown’s rookie contract, it means his deal is up in 2024.
This puts the Cardinals in a bind, as 2024 is the season that Murray’s contract takes a $51.8 million hit on their cap space.
Kyler Murray deal is very team/player friendly. It will allow the club to add to the roster in the next two years before year three.
2022
Cap# 12.699 (6.1.% of the cap)
Base salary $965K2023
Cap# 16M (7.1%)
Base salary $2M2024
Cap# 51.8M (20.3%)
Base salary $37M pic.twitter.com/TZ7lrAdzBl— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) July 23, 2022
With Brown seen as a major piece for their quarterback, it would mean they need to keep him.
However, that timing of their quarterback’s payout in 2024 doesn’t give them much room to work with.
It could cost the team dearly if they can’t work out a deal early between them and Brown.
So while the timing of this contract for Kyler Murray was great for him, it could spell trouble for others later on in Arizona.
NEXT: Cardinals Reporter Highlights Shocking Kyler Murray Feat