Once debating his future between the NFL and MLB, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is making headlines these days because of some social media activity.
Yes, that’s right: he unfollowed the Arizona Cardinals on Instagram and Twitter, which technically doesn’t mean anything, but actually means a lot because it’s a way to get some attention.
He Is Apparently Unhappy With The Arizona Cardinals
Why would Murray, one of NFL’s most promising quarterbacks, need to stir up the social media universe?
Because he is, apparently, unhappy about his contract situation.
He wants to be paid like a top-ten signal-caller, which would mean at least $30 million.
He is already eligible for an extension, but the Cards, who already have him for one more season, can keep him through 2023 by exercising his fifth-year option, worth $25 million.
He just made $8.8 million and that salary will go up to $11.4 million next year.
Murray just had a very successful 2021 campaign with Arizona, completing 69.2 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,787 yards, and having a 24-10 TD/INT ratio.
He also rushed for 423 yards, with five additional scores, in 14 games.
What does MLB mean in this mess?
Murray wasn’t a very good left fielder for the Oklahoma Sooners upon transferring there in 2017 (he hit .122).
However, playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League after that season, he was much better.
In 2018, mainly as a center fielder, he hit .296 with 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 10 steals.
The Oakland Athletics drafted him (in the first round, no less!) in 2019 despite his intention of pursuing a football career.
👀⚾️ pic.twitter.com/xOlwaLBhTq
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 7, 2022
However, he won the Heisman trophy in 2018 and decided to skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.
If he returns to baseball, the A’s retain his rights.
What’s In Store For Murray?
Unlike what happened when he was drafted by A’s, it’s unlikely he would use a potential MLB career as leverage in his current situation with the Cards.
For starters, those $11.4 million he would make next year in the NFL are way, way more than any amount of money he could earn playing baseball in 2022.
Even if he makes the majors, the minimum salary is currently at $570,000, and it remains at or close to that number for the players’ first three seasons in The Show.
The Players Association is fighting to increase all of the mentioned numbers, but it won’t be even close to the worst-case scenario as an NFL passer.
It should be said, however, that the risk of long-term injury in MLB is much, much lower than the NFL.
In any case, it’s highly unlikely that Murray, at this point (or any time soon) pursues a baseball career.
He would just sacrifice too much money if he does.
The lack of money younger guys make in MLB is why we lose kids like Kyler Murray to football. CBA has an impact on the desire to pursue baseball amongst 14-20 yo athletes. The guys making 20+ million aren’t fighting for themselves to make more they’re fighting for the next wave.
— Shelfy (@RealShelfy) February 5, 2022
A feasible scenario, however, could be putting pressure to either force his way out of Arizona or get that new contract right now.
The problem is that it may not benefit the Cardinals to extend him now.
Imagining Murray as an outfielder for the A’s is great and all, but it’s highly unlikely to happen soon.
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