Friday, June 5, 2026

In Booming QB Market, Kyler Murray Unlikely to Play For $5.5M

  • Murray’s agent reportedly pulled his initial proposal to the Cardinals, who still haven’t made an offer.
  • Four QBs have gotten $40M/year contracts this offseason.
Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Kyler Murray has apparently had enough of watching other quarterbacks get big contracts in this offseason’s explosive market.

The 2019 No. 1 pick is entering the fourth season of his rookie deal, which pays an undesirable $5.5 million.

On Thursday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Murray’s agent pulled his initial proposal to the Cardinals, who still haven’t made an offer — and that the QB is unlikely to play without a new contract.

In an offseason where four QBs signed contracts in excess of $40 million per season, there’s logic behind Murray’s potential holdout.

  • Derek Carr, Raiders: three-year, $121.5M extension
  • Matthew Stafford, Rams: four-year, $160M extension
  • Deshaun Watson, Browns: five-year, $230M deal
  • Aaron Rodgers, Packers: three-year, $150.8M extension

Murray could be looking for a deal comparable to that of Josh Allen, who signed a six-year, $258 million ($43M AAV) extension with the Bills after his third NFL season.

If he’s planning a different route, there’s Lamar Jackson — who seems content betting on himself and taking a more patient approach.

The self-repped QB hasn’t reached an agreement with the Ravens and will likely play out the $23 million, fifth-year option of his rookie contract.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.

Bears Taking New $5B Stadium Plans Across State Line to Indiana

The decision arrived just four days after political inaction by Illinois leaders.

Sanders’s Record NFLPA Income Was Mostly From Trading Cards

The bulk of Sanders’s record NFLPA income came from cards, not jerseys.
Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Eli Manning former Mississippi Rebels quarterback and NFL star visits the field prior to a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Not ‘About Raising Prices’: Eli Manning Invests in Youth Sports

Manning discussed the Knicks’ playoff run and the Giants’ new coach.

Featured Today

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Jun 2, 2026; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks over during practice on media day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
June 3, 2026

Will There Be a Wemby Effect for NBA Finals in France?

France will have two Finals broadcasters for the first time.
June 3, 2026

The $3 Million Player Who Changed The Spurs Season

The Spurs went 39–11 with Julian Champagnie as a starter.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
Jun 3, 2026; Paris, France; Maja Chwalinska of Poland tosses the ball to serve during her match against Anna Kalinskaya on day 10 at Stade Roland Garros.
June 3, 2026

French Open’s Cinderella Runs May Not Play in Wimbledon

Wimbledon finalizes its entries in mid-May, before the French Open ends.
Jun 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) prepares for the fdfirst period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center
June 3, 2026

Hockey Canada Trial Looms Over Hart in Stanley Cup Playoffs

Carolina fans broke out into a “no means no” chant.
June 3, 2026

Landon Donovan Thinks World Cup Will Boost MLS

Donovan argues hosting World Cup games will lead owners to spend more.
FILE PHOTO: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) smiles on the court after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 2, 2026

Curry’s Li-Ning Deal Is a Shot at His Own Jordan Brand

The NBA star signed a reported 10-year, $300 million deal with Li-Ning.