Kyler Murray, the talented quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL, is also a highly regarded baseball prospect who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft. Although Murray ultimately chose to pursue a career in football, his potential in baseball was never in question.
In 2018, Murray signed a $4.66 million signing bonus with the Athletics, agreeing to a four-year contract worth around $986,000 annually. This contract was specifically structured to give him flexibility to pursue his football career at the University of Oklahoma, where he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy as the best player in college football. However, his commitment to the NFL meant he would never report to the A’s minor league system.
Murray’s dual-sport potential was a subject of much speculation during his early years at Oklahoma, and his ability to transition to the NFL was a hot topic throughout the 2018 and 2019 seasons. His signing with the Athletics was considered a fallback plan in case football didn’t work out. Despite his success on the baseball diamond—where his skills as a center fielder were highly praised—Murray’s football career took priority when he declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.
After being selected as the first overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals, Murray chose to focus on football, ultimately signing a four-year rookie deal with the NFL team worth $35 million, including a $23.5 million signing bonus. This deal, along with his successful football career, sidelined his baseball dreams, though his brief stint in the MLB world remains a significant chapter in his versatile athletic journey.
Murray’s MLB contract, though largely symbolic at this point, reflects his immense talent in both sports and the complex decisions young athletes often face when navigating multiple career paths.
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