Kyler Murray has been offered the chance to step away from the NFL entirely.
This week, the Arizona Cardinals informed their quarterback of seven years that they intend to release him when the new league starts on March 11.
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Murray will be saying goodbye to the Cardinals next weekCredit: Getty
Questions have since started to swirl about whether the 28-year-old could make a stunning return to Major League Baseball.
Murray was selected first overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, but had already been taken No.9 overall by the Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Current Athletics general manager David Forst has left the door open for a potential career change.
“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’s Martin Gallegos.
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“That being said, he and his baseball representatives know that we are always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”
There was a reason why the A’s selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft.
He was widely regarded as a five-tool player while at the University of Oklahoma.
He hit .296 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI’s in 51 games for the Sooners in 2018, and at the time he signed his deal with the A’s, Billy Beane, their vice president of baseball operations called Murray, “One of the most dynamic athletes that we’ve selected since I’ve been here.”
In the aftermath of Murray choosing football over baseball, he was placed on MLB’s restricted list, forfeiting the majority of his $4.6 million signing bonus he received.
In addition to getting the money back, the A’s retained Murray’s baseball rights, in the event he decides to return to the sport at a future time.
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Murray has been offered the chance to return to the MLB with the AthleticsCredit: Getty
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Murray was selected ninth overall by the A’s in the 2018 MLB DraftCredit: GettyVikings tipped as perfect place for Murray career ‘revival’
In all likelihood, the chances of the 28-year-old making a stunning return to the MLB are slim, he will likely garner plenty of interest from NFL teams who need a hurler.
One of those teams expected to be in the quarterback carousel will be the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings just watched their former QB Sam Darnold win the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, instead opting for J.J. McCarthy.
After missing the entirety of 2024, his debut season didn’t go to plan.
In an injury-riddled season, he made just 10 outings, passing for just 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions.
The Vikings are likely to keep McCarthy on the roster in 2026, whether as the starter or not is yet to be determined.
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McCarthy’s future as the Vikings starter is yet to be determinedCredit: Getty
Murray could be the perfect option for a career revival, according to NBC Sports’ Kyle Dvorchak.
“We can definitely pick one team as the frontrunner to land Kyler Murray right now,” Dvorchak said.
“That has to be the Minnesota Vikings, it’s a spot where Murray could very reasonably revive his career after somewhat flaming out in Arizona.
“He would have a borderline quarterback whisperer in Kevin O’Connell, arguably one of the best receivers in the NFL in Justin Jefferson.
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“All of this, plus a head coach who calls awesome plays makes this the best situation Kyler will, or will ever find himself in.”
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