After weeks of sending signals through social media, Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray finally made his feelings known about his future with the team in late February.
In a statement released by his agent, Murray said he wants to be the Cardinals quarterback long term. But he wants a sizable monetary commitment from Arizona in return.
To this point, that’s been the last word on the Murray-Cardinals saga, which started when the quarterback unfollowed the team’s Instagram account shortly after the season ended.
While little has changed with Murray since the end of February, the NFL’s quarterback market has undergone a shift of epic proportions. Tom Brady un-retired, Aaron Rodgers recommitted to Green Bay and blockbuster trades have sent Russell Wilson to Denver and Deshaun Watson to Cleveland.
Below, we break down the latest on Murray for Arizona Cardinals betting fans, along with a look at how drastically potential suitors for the Cardinals quarterback have changed since February.
Kyler Murray’s 2023 MVP Odds
Murray currently does not have any available Arizona online betting odds, as he is currently injured.
Arizona Cardinals 2022 Super Bowl Odds
With Super Bowl 57 being played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale and Super Bowl betting in Arizona expected to be HUGE, the Cardinals might be a fun futures bet to take since the last two Super Bowl champs won at their home stadium. The Cardinals are +2500 to win the Super Bowl according to DraftKings Arizona. BetMGM also has Arizona at +2500 down from +2000 in late February.
Kyler Murray’s Rookie Contract
The 2022 season is the final year of Murray’s rookie contract, which was a four-year, $35.7 million deal the No. 1 pick signed after getting picked by the Cardinals in 2019. Murray’s rookie deal includes an escalator clause in his base salary, taking it from $495,000 in 2019 to $965,000 in 2022, with a signing bonus of $5,897,481 in each of the four years, between 2019 and 2022.
Also included in Murray’s rookie deal is a $4,524,360 roster bonus and a $11,386,841 salary cap hit in 2022. Murray’s average salary in his rookie deal is $8,914,504. Murray would become a restricted free agent next offseason if an extension isn’t reached and would be an unrestricted free agent if he isn’t signed long-term before the end of the 2024 regular season.
Is an Extension with the Cardinals Possible?
Murray and the Cardinals have ample time to work through their differences, as the NFL’s contract extension deadline isn’t until July 15.
The Cardinals can either give Murray an extension or use their franchise tag on him during the 2023 offseason, which would keep him around through that season, at least.
Here is the statement Murray released, through his agent, in late February announcing his desire for a lucrative, long-term deal.
Kyler Murray’s Highlights in Arizona
Murray made Kliff Kingsbury’s squad go when he was healthy, helping the Cardinals to a 6-0 start, the team’s first playoff appearance in six years and a spot high atop Arizona betting apps Super Bowl favorite lists.
Murray had his best statistical year as a pro in 2021, completing a career-best 69.2% of his passes, while eclipsing 3,500 passing yards for a second consecutive season. He also wound up with his best TD-to-interception ratio of his career, connecting on 24 TD passes to 10 interceptions.
His rushing stats were the lowest of his career, posting totals of 423 yards and five touchdowns (down from 819 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020). Murray was an NFL MVP frontrunner for a sizable portion of the 2021 regular season, reaching the No. 1 spot on BetMGM Arizona’s MVP board at +400 after leading the Cardinals to a 6-0 start. An ankle injury and spotty play ultimately tanked Murray’s MVP chances but speak to the potential the quarterback has going forward.
Murray’s First Twitter Response
Murray’s initial response to his contract controversy came via Twitter the day after the Super Bowl. He said he wanted to “continue to grow and get better” but didn’t mention if that growth would come with the Cardinals.
BetMGM Odds on Murray Starting Week 1 for Cardinals
BetMGM Arizona was taking bets on the Cardinals quarterback situation, but those odds were no longer available by late March.
The site started offering wagering during the week after the Super Bowl. The odds Murray would take the first snap in Week 1 of the regular season for Arizona steadily dropped from -2000 to open, down to -1000 in mid February and -500 in late February.
Which Arizona Cardinals QB will take the first snap in Week 1 of the 2022 regular season?
Kyler Murray’s Next Team: February Odds
When Murray’s unhappiness with Arizona first surfaced, Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson set odds on possible trade destinations for the quarterback. The list shows the dramatic movement in the NFL quarterback market from the end of the season until now:
From February: Breaking Down Murray’s Potential Next NFL Team
Take a look back at the teams who could have been in the running for Murray when the news of his displeasure with the Cardinals surfaced in early February:
