After drama started to build around the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray, the team seemed to make it clear they plan on extending him. Today, his agent made a strong statement putting pressure on the team to make that new deal their top priority (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
[Related: Cards’ Owner Bidwill On Kyler Murray]
“Kyler wants to be direct with loyal Arizona Cardinals fans and the great community of the Valley in stating his two very important goals and objectives”, it begins, listing those two goals as remaining the Cardinals’ QB long-term, and winning a Super Bowl with the team. It stresses that “achieving both goals will take incredible commitment from himself and the entire organization”.
It further states that Murray’s camp has sent “a detailed contract proposal to the organization” which “provides financial protection, is in-line with the current QB market that compares his results alongside relevant comps, lowers his 2022-23 salary-cap number to allow the Cardinals to re-sign other deserving teammates and add additional free agents, and, most importantly, represents a real commitment from the organization”.
The move publicly puts the ball in the organization’s court, stating that “actions speak much louder than words in this volatile business”, a reference to owner Michael Bidwill recently saying the team has had “good conversations” with the 24-year-old and is eyeing the summer as a time to hammer out a new deal. However, the statement reads, “words and hypothetical contractual promises are regularly dismissed“, further pushing for a new pact to be offered as soon as possible.
The statement concludes that Murray “remains hopeful that the organization chooses to commit“, something they can do as early as the new league year in mid-March. As Bidwill noted in his recent comments, however, recent mega-deals with emerging QBs like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen were both signed in the summer, after free agency and the draft had passed. Whether the club opts to stick to that kind of timeline – or, alternatively, let him play out the fourth and potentially fifth years of his rookie deal, not unlike the Ravens and Lamar Jackson – will be even more of a key offseason storyline after this.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes that Murray is due roughly 5.5MM this season (video link). He states, however, that he doesn’t expect Murray to play at that figure in 2022. Overall, then, this situation is set to remain one of the most important in the upcoming QB market.
Basically…”I want a big signing bonus NOW!!”
And he deserves it, any team would be lucky to have his services
Did I say he didn’t? I was simply stating that this is not an altruistic move on Kyler’s part…it has nothing to do with “commitment” and even less to do with “lowering his cap figure to sign other players” (his cap figure is under $15M…the only way it is lowered is by seriously screwing the Cardinals’ books in future seasons).
Publically “demanding” a contract extension is nothing more than a ploy to garner sympathy in the media and pressure the Cardinals into paying him—which I have no problem with. He’s a great player with enormous talent and deserves to be compensated as such. However, it’d be refreshing to hear him admit it rather than try to play the poor martyr requesting it for the good of others.
Players often have to play things out publicly because owners have almost all the leverage. Then owners get to make players look greedy when owners make money hand over fist with none of the injuries or short timeline.
Guess you missed the part in my comment where I said there shouldn’t be any problem with him using the media and public leverage to get a new contract. However, he shouldn’t pretend he’s seeking a new contract for anything other than further enriching himself. That stance—I want more money because I’m one of the best at what I do—is perfect. The stance—I want to sign a contract because I’m a loyal player and I want to help this team sign other players—is BS. Just be honest
Don’t get your panties in a bunch Tom I was just adding he deserves it. Never did I say anything that went against what you said
Nothing says-I care about winning- more than demanding a new contract while the franchise is consumed with resigning guys who’s contracts are actually up, signing outside free agents and prepping for the draft. Visions of his agent drafting the letter while Murray covers his hears, stomps and screams “ME, ME, ME!” What a leader!
Is Kyler not supposed to clamor for the contract he’s earned now that he’s eligible for it because the front office also has other concerns? That’s their job.
No, Kyler should clamor for a contract for a couple of reasons—his talent and performance. No one should have a problem with a player—or person in any profession—wanting to be paid in line with what their talent and position bring.
However, including the comments that imply he wants to sign an extension now to help other players in their pursuit of contracts is not only bogus but laughable, too. If that were in any way the case, Murray would wait until next season when Arizona’s books are cleaner and he won’t have to artificially lower his cap number this year by seriously inflating it in future years.
Football players should not wait to get paid when they haven’t gotten their first big contract yet.
Not disputing that Murray (or anyone) should look to maximize their earnings, however, saying that he hasn’t gotten a “big contract” yet is silly. Kyler Murray is 24 years old and has already been paid more than 17 times what most Americans earn in their lifetimes. I think Murray’s been paid quite well.
And, again, he has every right to pursue a huge payday for himself, and I believe he should…just don’t make it sound like he’s doing it for any other reason than he himself wanting money now. That’s all. Get all he can.
Most American can’t play QB at the NFL level, so is it really fair to compare his pay to most Americans when he does a job most Americans would fail miserably at? A rookie contract is pretty small compared to his peers.
Okay, fair enough. How many QB’s have there been, or are there currently in the league? How many have earned $30M?
My point was that while Murray should seek to maximize his earnings, don’t do so while pretending he’s been severely underpaid or never had a “big” contract. He got a $20M+ check when he signed his rookie contract. Not many NFL players EVER see that kind of money in their careers.
Would you also compare the Bidwells to average Americans in earnings? At least Kyler had to earn his.
Love the deflection when I meet and counter the argument that I’m given.
Sorry, misread. Coffee still kicking in. But I’m unclear why Murray should compare his salary to different generations of QBs.
I’m not saying he should compare his salary to QBs such as Johnny Unitas and Brett Favre. how many current NFL QBs have earned more than he has his first three years? Very few. Not even Patrick Mahomes out-earned him.
And once more, I’m not arguing that he doesn’t deserve to be compensated, but that doesn’t mean he’s been underpaid relative to his status/position in the league. And, my biggest argument from the beginning—this was kind of a tangent based on responses—is that Murray (rightfully so) wants a new contract for himself, not as some altruistic way of helping teammates get paid due to the salary cap.
He was the number one pick three years ago. Of course he’s made more money in his first three years than other people.
So what exactly is your argument against my comments? I haven’t said Murray doesn’t deserve to get paid. I haven’t said he should be paid less than others who’ve performed as well (or better) as QBs at his age/tenure. I haven’t even argued that he should keep his contract request private.
My only gripe with it is HOW it’s being handled—the poor me, pay me to help others BS—and comments about how Murray’s been underpaid or hasn’t received a big contract in terms of regular or NFL money. Murray’s made a lot of money, both in terms of being an average American AND an NFL player.
He can argue and demand every dollar he wants—and he should—but the argument being presented by his camp (and others commenting) is a joke. It has NOTHING to do with helping his team win, helping other players sign contracts, being underpaid, or being loyal.
Nothing says I care about winning like locking up your starting qb who just took you to playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Nothing says I know how to actually run a football team in reality than signing the players that are actually free agents prior to pampering to a cry baby that still has a year left on his contract,
Wild to see how quickly fans take ownership’s side over players. It’s a sport where guys’ careers could end on any play, their salaries are artificially deflated their first few years, and they’re only given certain openings for negotiation while also facing a salary cap (which the owners implemented to suppress their own spending). Kyler is a top ten QB on a team that hasn’t done a bang up job building around him. Keim has done a lousy job of team building so many times over the years. Kliff has shown none of the offensive creativity he was supposed to bring. Why should Kyler’s camp not play hardball with these people if they’re going to drag their feet?
I don’t think anyone owes loyalty to any group of people. It can be true that both the player and the organization are being obstinate. The difference, though, is that Murray has the luxury of not having to worry about a salary cap. Everyone knows that the Cardinals will re-sign him. Trying to force their hand to do something they’re already forced to do is rather silly on his part.
The Cards will extend him. If they’re lowballing a young player that they mortgaged their future for, then yes, that would be silly. They have no leverage at all in this situation. Murray’s social media purge and needless pouting are really unnecessary, as he holds all the cards here (no pun intended of course). He can make his demands, and if they’re not met, he can walk next year or refuse to sign his franchise tag and sit out.
I would caution him though that he has to have some perspective on his end. Most of what Murray’s being paid for is his potential, not his accomplishments. He still has a year left on his deal-unless he adds a playoff win or an MVP level year, he won’t have much on his resume to pursue a huge mega deal from another team other than that potential. It would be easier to make demands with that resume filled. As for the Cards, the need to balance their cap situation is understandable, but it’d be better for them to not drag this out and antagonize their mercurial star. They might possibly get the idea that they have to tough-guy negotiate, but that would be stupid.
He has the leverage of not worrying about the salary cap? No he doesn’t. He’s fighting for a piece of a finite pie, while there’s no cap on what owners or GMs can make, and they’re not a turn of a knee from losing the gravy train.
I’m not sure what you’re getting at, Oof. Murray can demand whatever he wants to. The GM has to figure out how to make that work with the other 52 or so players he has to pay.
GMs make far less than the star players, by the way. And, while I don’t have any sympathy for owners, GMs, or players, I think it’s fair to say that at the earnings of over a million (or hell, even a few hundred thousand), the gravy train has already come in. The people Murray is comparing himself to at this point are, in all likelihood, less than 1% of the population. Is it fair for him to expect more? Certainly, that’s the going rate in his field. Is he hurting if he doesn’t get it? No, I wouldn’t say so. And yes, I do believe that the owners are subject to the same line of thinking, though as you say, their position is more secure. The GM’s may not be, but the owner’s certainly is.
I bang the GM drum so hard in this case, because I’m truly not sure what Steve Keim could do to get fired at this point.
I do agree with you there.
Trade with Bears – Fields and R. Smith
Doubt Arizona would take such a QB risk. Doubt Chicago would nuke their cap situation like that.
There really should be an NFL award for the GM and player agent who excel best at pre negotiation posturing.
Poor 24 year old kid can’t play for $5.5 million. THIS is what is wrong with sports. If he sucked and the Cardinals wanted some back, would hw give it back??? No.
No, that isn’t what’s wrong with sports. The idea is not that Murray “can’t” play for $5.5M but more about the revenues the sport generates and his pay grade relative to his contemporaries. Your hypothetical question about Murray sucking and giving money back…if the Cardinals (or any sports team) loses a game, do they refund ticket prices on the way out the door? No. The NFL generates billions because fans pay money to see the players perform…the players deserve to be compensated according to their production, talent, and most importantly, ability to generate fan interest. Murray checks all three boxes in a big way.
You don’t get it. Sadly most don’t anymore. They are playing a game that ultimately does not matter
I think you’re the one who doesn’t get it. It’s not about a moral high ground or standard. Yes, it’s a game that does not matter to anyone, yet it is a form of entertainment that generates revenues. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing football, baseball, or mixing paint colors…if people are willing to pay money to watch him do it, then it is his right to extract as much compensation as he can for it.
Mixing paint colors for $5.5M a year is a job I could probably do…where do I apply?
Poor 24 year old trying to get fair market value for his services! How selfish of him!
I hope you’re not replying to me because I’m all for Kyler Murray seeking and getting paid what the market will bring. The issue I’m pointing out is the laughable side-show act of how giving him a contract now is for the betterment of others—the team and other players it hopes to sign/resign.
Murray has every right to seek and receive maximum earnings, but at least admit it.
I wasn’t but if his extension lowers his cap hit for next season, like the quote in the article suggest, how is that laughable? Lowering his cap hit for next season so the team can resign players like James Conner and Zach Ertz helps the team win by bringing back quality players, while locking up your young an at the same time. Sounds like a win win to me.
It’s laughable because his cap hit is around $12M next season. How is signing an extension that pays him around or above $40M per year going to lower that? Heck, the percentage of his signing bonus that counts against the cap will likely come in higher than that. The only way they could lower his cap hit with a fair-market extension would be some voodoo cap magic where his cap number next year is $3M-$4M but then balloons to $75M or some crazy number the next few years.
Still don’t see how it’s laughable. The salary cap is an illusion. If the goal is to contend for a super bowl next year $8-9m in cap space is well worth having to do some restructures down the road.
It’s laughable because his cap figure, relative to his position/performance, is already so small that it creates an incredible financial environment for the team. Realistically any extension that Murray signs will INCREASE his cap number—solely on the basis of the prorated portion of his signing bonus.
Expect there are realistically several ways to structure any extension that will sign Murray that will DECREASE (I CAN ALSO CAN TYPE IN ALL CAPS) his cap hit for 2022. For example the one that his side already proposed.
What’s with the attitude? I only typed in all caps in one spot to show emphasis since I can’t use bold or italics when commenting here. I was not trying to show you up or be rude.
What way is there to structure a contract that is beneficial to the Cardinals in both the short and long term?
It takes two to tango as they say. To give Murray an extension now has to benefit the Cardinals too, not just the player. His cap number already benefits them.
What’s with the attitude? You tell me.
I’m not saying they should just accept whatever number kyler puts out there but how is locking him up longer term now, while freeing up 8-9m in cap room (your number) for next season laughable?. If kyler is the guy for AZ and the goal is to win the super bowl next year it seems like a win win to me. You free up as much cap room as possible and you have long term security at the QB position. Who cares about having to restructure down to line when you can free up cap space if the goal is to win now?
I don’t have any attitude; I thought we were having a respectable back and forth conversation, and in one of my comments I used caps for emphasis on one point and you responded with the “I can write in all caps” line as if I were using it to demonstrate rudeness toward you, which I wasn’t.
In regards to what his cap number would be, I doubt they’d be able to free up $8M-$9M in an extension, and I said that if they were able to free up that much money, it would put them in cap hell for the foreseeable future. No, I don’t know how they’d structure the contract but I suggested—half jokingly—that if they lowered his cap number this year by $8M or so, they’d likely be on the hook for a $75M cap hit in future years. Obviously, neither situation will be the case, and any cap reduction for the 2022-2023 season will be minimal at best, and likely not worth it to the Cardinals.
(They’d likely see better cap savings, both in 2022/2023 and future years by restructuring other players’ contracts rather than giving Murray an extension.)
And take out insurance for if you get hurt. The salaries are just hard to believe. But fans keep forking it over
Yes, fans keep paying it and helping the teams generate revenue, which in turn sets the salaries for the players. If you think it works the other way—the teams set ticket and TV prices based on what they’re going to pay players—that’s a very naive way of thinking. If every NFL (or MLB, NBA, etc.) player agreed to play for free next year, tickets would still cost what they cost.
Waiting for chief big mouth to come in here and say how he’s overrated and he’s as good as jimmy G so I can put him in his place yet again. A man can wish
For a guy that’s barely a top 10 QB in the league and still has a year left on his contract, he receives zero sympathy points from me. Wait your turn pal.
Barely a top 10? Why don’t you name the 9 others who are ahead of him? I did it in the other thread came up to about 7 if you include Brady