The Athletics once drafted current NFL quarterback Kyler Murray ninth overall in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft with the hopes of adding a franchise outfielder to their roster at the time.
Murray, however, opted to instead declare for the 2019 NFL Draft, in which he was selected first overall by the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2019 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was informed by the Cardinals that he is being released, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday, sparking questions about Murray’s future.
Now that Murray is an NFL free agent, is a return to the baseball field possible? A’s general manager David Forst shared that the team would be willing to bring him back if a potential reunion presented itself.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Forst told MLB.com on Wednesday. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”
Following his decision to pursue a football career over baseball, the 28-year-old was placed on MLB’s restricted list, and the A’s retained his rights if Murray ever decides to switch back to the diamond.
After his release from Arizona, the two-time Pro Bowl selection shared a message to Cardinals fans for whom he played seven NFL seasons.
To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my…
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 3, 2026
Murray was a successful two-sport athlete at the University of Oklahoma, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2018 and batting .296/.556/.954 that same year.
Despite a few injury-riddled seasons, Murray found some success in football as one of the best mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, throwing for 121 touchdowns with only 60 interceptions and a QB rating of 92.2 in 87 career regular-season games.
Murray’s future is uncertain, but whether he remains in the NFL or reunites with the A’s, the Texas native still has plenty left in the tank and can be a major contributor to any team when healthy.