The Kyler Murray contract saga has finally reached a lucrative conclusion.
On Thursday, Murray and the Cardinals agreed to a five-year, $230.5 million deal that will keep the quarterback in Arizona through the 2027 season, per Adam Schefter.
The contract includes $160 million in guarantees — the second-most guaranteed money in the NFL behind Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million pact with the Browns.
Murray ($46.1M) is now the second-highest-paid player in the league by average salary behind Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers ($50.3M).
Negotiations had been going on for months before a conclusion was reached Thursday morning, per Schefter, ending a period of drama involving changes to Murray’s Instagram account and a pulled contract proposal by him and his agent in April.
The 2019 No. 1 overall pick has shown promise over the course of his brief career.
- Murray was the 2019 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- In 2021, he recorded career highs in passing yards per game (270.5) and passer rating (100.6) while throwing a career-low 10 interceptions.
- His 69.2% completion rate was second among qualifying quarterbacks last season.
However, Murray’s last outing was a 137-yard, two-interception washout in a 34-11 loss to the champion Rams in his playoff debut.
Nevertheless, this new long-term investment shows that the Cardinals believe he can be a playoff game-winner over the next few years.
Murray’s had a good week off the field, too: On Wednesday, esports collective FaZe Clan — for which Murray is a content creator — went public at a $725 million valuation.
