USATSI
With the 2022 NFL Draft right around the corner, most of the drama surrounding the veteran quarterback market seems to have been wrapped up. Or not. A day after Baker accused Mayfield of the Browns of Cleveland of disrespecting him ahead of an inevitable divorce, another former No. 1 overall is on shaky ground. The Cardinals are yet to offer QB Kyler Murray a long-term contract offer. according to NFL media, although earlier this offseason Murray’s agent all but called for a new deal. Murray’s representative has also reportedly withdrawn his own contract proposal and the QB is not expected to play for Arizona in 2022 without a new contract.
The Cardinals have publicly said they believe in Murray’s development and would like to eventually extend the 24-year-old QB — he’s entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal, which may run to 2023 when the Cardinals exercise his fifth-year option . Murray, meanwhile, recently said he’s “not overly concerned about my future as a cardinal.” However, the QB’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, informed the team weeks ago that he was “pulling his opening proposal (for a new deal) off the table,” per NFL Media’s Tom Pelisseroand now “there is no negotiation” as Murray is unlikely to fit under his current deal.
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Murray first sparked speculation of a rift with Arizona when he deleted all Cardinals pictures from his social media following the 2021 season, and ESPN reported shortly thereafter that the team’s leadership had concerns about the QB’s leadership. His agent released a lengthy letter publicly urging the Cardinals not only to verbally support Murray, but also to make a lucrative financial commitment. The letter did not specifically confirm that Murray would sit out off-season activities or future games without a new contract, but did not rule out the possibility. Amid the latest developments, NFL Media reported Thursday, other teams are monitoring the situation.
Murray is due around $11.4 million in 2022, making him the 18th highest-paid QB in the NFL. Though he’s accomplished a lot since finishing No. 1 from Oklahoma in 2019, earning two Pro Bowl nominations and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award for one of the game’s top double threats, he’s also had three straight seasons in either injured or ended in crisis. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have played 22-23-1 during his run as starting QB and appeared in just one playoff game.