Just three years ago, Kyler Murray had a major decision to make. Should he pursue a career as an NFL quarterback or should he stick with the Oakland Athletics — who drafted him ninth overall in 2018 — and work his way to becoming a Major League Baseball player?
At the time, there was actual debate about the subject. NFL careers are generally shorter and take a physical toll on mobile quarterbacks. Contracts aren’t fully guaranteed like baseball contracts, but successful NFL quarterbacks are global superstars — while Bryce Harper (at No. 99) is the only MLB player in the World 100.
Football — albeit riskier — was the quicker route to fame and fortune. And for Murray, that decision paid off in just three years after being selected No. 1 by Arizona.
The Cardinals announced on Thursday that Murray agreed to a five-year extension with the team in a deal that would pay him $230.5 million ($160 million guaranteed) and an annual salary of $46.1 million.
Deshaun Watson's contract with the Browns: 5-years, $230M (fully guaranteed). $46M per year.
Kyler Murray's extension with the Cardinals: 5-years, $230.5M ($160M guaranteed). $46.1M per year.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 21, 2022
To put that in perspective with his baseball alternative, the entire active 2022 payroll for the Oakland Athletics is $41.9 million. Had Murray chosen baseball, he’d either be making far less on a last-place team or still riding a bus in the minor-league system for baseball’s stingiest franchise. Instead, he’s a Pro Bowl quarterback making more than Oakland’s active payroll.
So, yeah, Murray officially made the right decision. Fans could not deny that this time.
This was how Twitter reacted
Kyler Murray, buy the A's! https://t.co/uq1c5KFK08
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dieter) July 21, 2022
"Billy, this is Kyler Murray. He's an elite athlete and fielder with plus power. His flaw is that the Arizona Cardinals are going to pay him half a billion dollars to play football." https://t.co/gMhiSL2sBI pic.twitter.com/2FxRSTtPXN
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) July 21, 2022
Kyler Murray turning down the A’s was one of the greatest decisions an athlete has ever made
— Anthony Corona – Julioooooo fan (@AnthonysCorona) July 21, 2022
160 mil guaranteed for Kyler Murray. The a’s used a first round top 10 pick on him when he was never going to play baseball and set the franchise back like 5 years. 🤦🏻♀️
— Allison Barnard 📎 (@southpaw1522) July 21, 2022
Yea Kyler wasn’t gonna get paid by the A’s like this lmaoooo
— Lechonk stan acct ❤️🔥 (@JoshHelaku) July 21, 2022
Lol wait, will kyler murray will make more this season than the entire Oakland A’s team that drafted him https://t.co/OPAIGoYitq
— Wizenard-dog (@dubzfan1) July 21, 2022
We can now unequivocally say that Kyler Murray made the right decision turning down the A’s
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) July 21, 2022
In another universe, Kyler Murray's service time is currently being manipulated by the Oakland A's as he sleeps on an air mattress in a bachelor apartment in Summerlin South, Nevada. pic.twitter.com/hIsnawA5fJ
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) July 21, 2022
The A's payroll is basically $43 million
Kyler Murray is making $46.1 million per year https://t.co/qp0QkXot5T
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) July 21, 2022
Well maybe Kyler Murray can buy the Oakland A's if the back half of his football career doesn't completely fall off.
— Mike Perez (@MikePerez24) July 21, 2022
I wonder if the A’s could have matched Kyler Murray’s contract🥴
— Zal Akhtar (@zal_verson7) July 21, 2022
🤣 The A's 2nd half starting lineup if Kyler stuck with baseball:
RF: Kyler Murray
1B: Kyler Murray
SS: Kyler Murray
3B: Kyler Murray
DH: Kyler Murray
C: Kyler Murray
CF: Kyler Murray
LF: Kyler Murray
2B: Kyler MurrayP: Kyler Murray https://t.co/GhTSDEwC1f
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) July 21, 2022
An athlete has never made a better choice, honestly.
