The Kyler Murray trade speculation returned with a bang on Thursday in the wake of a report that the quarterback’s agent removed his opening contract proposal with the Arizona Cardinals.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that other NFL teams were monitoring the situation between Murray and the Cardinals, who have been embroiled in a contract saga this offseason since the quarterback scraped his social media of Arizona Cardinals photos.
Pelissero also speculated that Murray would not play in 2022 under his current deal with the team.
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The #Cardinals have yet to make a contract offer to Pro Bowl QB Kyler Murray, whose agent, Erik Burkhardt, informed the team weeks ago he was pulling his opening proposal off the table, per sources.
Other teams are monitoring closely; Arizona insists Murray won’t be traded.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2022
Four QBs – Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr – have signed contract extensions worth $40 million or more in the past month as the market continues to go up.
Murray is due about $5.5 million in 2022, and it’d be a surprise if he plays on that deal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2022
The #Cardinals have said they want to extend Kyler Murray eventually, and Murray said recently “I’m not really too worried about my future as a Cardinal.” But with two weeks until the draft, there are no negotiations, and other teams are watching. A situation to monitor. https://t.co/N0sT3duzgX
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2022
Speculation surrounding Murray’s future with the Cardinals has run rampant all offseason and it returned after Pelissero’s report.
One site even released odds for Murray’s next team.
Odds Checker had the Cardinals at -500, or an implied chance of 83.3% to keep Murray, but interestingly placed the Dallas Cowboys as the favorite to land Murray, should he leave Arizona.
Dallas was given +800 odds, or an implied chance of 11.1% to land Murray.
The Atlanta Falcons were at +1000 (9.1% chance).
The Pittsburgh Steelers were given +1600 odds (5.9%).
The Philadelphia Eagles were at +2200 (4.3%). The Houston Texans were given +3000 odds (3.2%).
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Last month, Erik Burkhardt, Murray’s agent, questioned Arizona’s commitment amid a quiet NFL free agency for the team.
In a tweet sent as a reply to a tweet about the Las Vegas Raiders trading for Davante Adams, Burkhardt said:
“Wait, so you’re telling me teams w (already) paid QBs can also pay: Highest paid WR, 2 highly paid DEs, one of highest paid OTs, highly paid TE, well paid RBs… and then also still REUP QB as one of the highest paid?! It’s a CHOICE. A choice to TRY to win. Or not. #Commitment”
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Wait, so you’re telling me teams w (already) paid QBs can also pay:
Highest paid WR, 2 highly paid DEs, one of highest paid OTs, highly paid TE, well paid RBs… and then also still REUP QB as one of the highest paid?! ?
It’s a CHOICE. A choice to TRY to win. Or not. #Commitment https://t.co/xmTPURqDle— Erik Burkhardt (@ErikBurkhardt) March 18, 2022
Last month, Burkhardt also issued a statement sharing why his client deserved an extension.
The statement read, in part: “Kyler wants to be direct with loyal Arizona Cardinal fans and the great community of the valley in stating his two very important goals and objectives: 1. He absolutely wants to be your long term quarterback. 2. He desperately wants to win the Super Bowl.
“Actions speak much louder than words in this volatile business,” the statement said. “It is now simply up to the Cardinals to decide if they prioritize their rapidly improving, 24-year-old, already 2x Pro Bowl QB, who led the organization from 3 wins before his arrival to 11-wins and their first playoff appearance in 5 years, or rather, if they choose to financially prioritize committing to other areas and continuing to merely talk about addressing Kyler’s long term future as their QB. Unfortunately, every player, coach, and executive in the NFL knows (or should know) that words and hypothetical contractual promises are regularly dismissed and fleeting in this business.
“Kyler remains hopeful that the organization (chooses) to commit so that he can continue leading the Cardinals to further success and value for many years to come.”
More: Kyler Murray contract situation with Arizona Cardinals ‘might not wind up getting better’
During a charitable event last month, Murray told reporters he wasn’t too concerned about his future with the Cardinals.
“I’m an Arizona Cardinal. I’ve done nothing but give my all to the Cardinals and will continue to do that. I’m not really too worried about my future as a Cardinal.”
Speculation about that future in Arizona is swirling once again.
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Cardinals QB Kyler Murray and his camp have long viewed the draft as a deadline for a new contract—we talked about this back in March—because if they were going to ask for a trade, they’d wanna do it before then.
Putting the ball in AZ’s court is the next step in that direction. https://t.co/AaT2FnSAMp
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 14, 2022
The reason why is simple—once you get past the draft, teams’ depth charts are largely set. So the number of potential suitors willing to give up both the draft capital and contract to get Murray would be diminished at that point.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 14, 2022
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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