Adam SchefterESPN Senior Writer22. Oct 2023 6:12am ET3 minutes read
What Pat McAfee takes away from Kyler Murray’s return to practice
Pat McAfee explains what Kyler Murray’s return to practice means for the Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals want Kyler Murray to play again this season — so much so that they’re willing to take the financial risk that comes with bringing the quarterback back.
Murray, who returned to training last week for the first time since tearing his ACL last December, has $29.9 million in salary compensation in 2025, which will become fully guaranteed in March next year when he receives the investigation cannot pass until then.
The only way to ensure Murray would be healthy by March 2024 would be to not play him, which the Cardinals don’t want.
Murray would also face some of the NFL’s toughest defenses upon his return, as the Cardinals’ remaining schedule includes games against the Browns, Ravens, 49ers, Steelers, Rams and Eagles – all teams with talented defensive lines.
Murray will not play against the Seahawks on Sunday and the Cardinals have not provided a specific date for his return. Arizona has until Nov. 8 to activate Murray to the 53-man roster, meaning the Cardinals’ Week 10 home game against the Falcons would be the latest he could do this season.
Murray, 26, signed a five-year contract extension in July 2022 that keeps him under contract through the 2028 season and includes a $160 million injury guarantee.
Sometimes injury guarantees in a player’s contract are enough to force the team to bench him. Last season, for example, the Raiders opted to bench quarterback Derek Carr rather than put themselves at financial risk with his contract.
Carr had signed a three-year, $121 contract. $5 million contract extension last spring, but his $32.9 million 2023 salary and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary would be fully guaranteed in the event of an injury. Rather than risk $40.4 million in guaranteed money, the Raiders sent Carr home, effectively shortening his time with the franchise.
The Cardinals announced last Wednesday that Murray had returned from the unable-to-perform list, opening his 21-day window to be added to the 53-man roster. The former No. 1 draft pick picked up some first-team reps and began working in Arizona’s group, but the Cardinals have not announced a timetable for Murray’s return.
“It’s exciting for me,” Cardinals left tackle DJ Humphries said. “I just see him running around… I know he’s trending in the right direction. When I saw him coming into the group, I had to relax because he was trying to stay calm and I was excited.”
Murray’s return will be an “organizational decision,” according to Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, who added that Murray will be a “big part” of those conversations.
Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback again on Sunday when the Cardinals (1-5) visit the Seahawks (3-2). Dobbs was Arizona’s starter in all six games this season and completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.