As Kyler Murray is offered MLB move after NFL release

WITH Kyler Murray being offered to play in the MLB after being released by the Arizona Cardinals, there is a history of players who switched sports to give their careers a boost.

The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Murray is expected to be released by the Cardinals ahead of the new league year.

Sign up for the Sport newsletter

Thank you!

Arizona Cardinals star quarterback Kyler Murray looks on during an October 2025 gameCredit: Getty

Murray throws a pass during the Cardinals’ loss to the Tennessee Titans last OctoberCredit: AP

Murray was selected by the A’s with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.

But he continued to play quarterback at Oklahoma, and won the Heisman Trophy before getting selected as the top overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Fast forward to 2026, and the A’s are opening the door for the soon-to-be NFL free agent Murray to return to baseball, a decision made by the team’s general manager, David Forst.

While a return to baseball isn’t impossible, as the A’s still hold Murray’s MLB rights, it’s highly unlikely, as the 28-year-old is expected to remain in the NFL after being linked with the Minnesota Vikings.

But there have been players who have switched sports to revive their careers.

Michael Jordan and Deion Sanders haven’t made the list, as the Chicago Bulls legend was coming off three straight NBA championships before pursuing baseball, and Prime was simply athletically gifted and played two sports at once.

Bo Jackson

Like Sanders, Bo Jackson was an athletic specimen who played two sports, football and baseball, at once.

He’s the only professional athlete in history to have been selected to an All-Star game in two sports.

A star running back in college, Jackson was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1986 NFL Draft.

He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1998 and posted 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns during his four seasons in the league.

MLB legend Bo Jackson poses before an MLB gameCredit: Getty

However, Jackson’s football career was cut short due to a hip injury.

So he made the full-time switch to play in the MLB and won the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1993.

Jackson clobbered 141 home runs during his MLB career.

Tim Tebow

Tebow won the Heisman Trophy and led the Florida Gators to two national championship titles.

College football icon Tim Tebow pictured playing for the New York Mets during a 2017 spring training gameCredit: Alamy

But after one of the most successful collegiate careers, Tebow didn’t pan out in the NFL as a first-round pick for the Denver Broncos.

After failing to make an NFL roster in 2015, Tebow pursued a pro baseball the following year and signed a Minor League contract with the New York Mets.

Despite his lack of baseball experience, Tebow found a way to spend four seasons with the franchise as an outfielder.

He posted a .734 OPS in 84 games for Double-A in 2018.

But Tebow retired from baseball in 2021 – the same year in which he attempted an NFL return as a tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars but was released after one preseason game.

Brian Jordan

Brian Jordan was a first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1988 MLB Draft.

MLB All-Star Brian Jordan seen in action during a 2005 gameCredit: Getty

He was also a seventh-round choice of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.

Jordan pursued football and eventually caught on with the Atlanta Falcons, playing as a defensive back from 1989 to 1991, earning a Pro Bowl as an alternate in his last year.

But Jordan gave up football to play full-time with the Cardinals in 1992, and that decision would prove correct.

He enjoyed a 15-year MLB career, playing for the Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jordan made the All-Star team in 1999, hitting 23 homers and recording a career-high 115 RBIs with the Braves.

Drew Henson

Drew Henson striking out to end a gameCredit: Getty

Drew Henson took over for Tom Brady at quarterback at Michigan.

He left before his senior season after signing a six-year, $17m baseball-only deal with the New York Yankees in March of 2001.

Henson played just eight games in the majors and posted his only career hit in his final game.

After not being considered by the Yankees, Henson revealed he was leaving the team in February 2004.

He pivoted to football that year and joined the Dallas Cowboys as a backup.

Henson threw his only touchdown pass after Tony Romo and Vinny Testaverde got hurt.

He last played in 2008 and later returned to baseball as a Yankees scout.

D.J. Dozier

D.J. Dozier was Tebow before Tebow.

Penn State star running back D.J. Dozier runs with the football during a 1986 gameCredit: Getty

Dozier was a star running back for the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions from 1987 to 1991.

He recorded seven rushing touchdowns during that span.

Then, Dozier made the switch to baseball despite not playing it since high school.

But unlike Tebow, Dozier found his way to the big leagues as an outfielder, also with the Mets.

In 25 games, all in 1992, he batted .191 with two doubles and four steals.