Cardinals Sign Kyler Murray to 4-Year $35 Million Deal

On Thursday, the Arizona Cardinals signed Kyler Murray, the No. 1 draft pick in the NFL. The deal was done a day prior to the quarterback taking the field in rookie minicamp for the first time.

The contract signed by Kyler Murray is a four-year $35 million deal, which is fully guaranteed. It also includes a $23.5 million signing bonus. As well as that, an option for a fifth year is also included.

The NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement, which was signed in 2011, makes rookie contracts standard. As well as that, it ensures salaries are slotted according to the salary cap increase.

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This is only the beginning, said Murray. The quarterback added that he is planning to work hard and lead the team to wins and lots of rings.

The decision by Murray to play in the NFL rather than professional baseball has paid off over the short term. After the Oakland Athletics picked Murray in the first round of the MLB 2018 draft, he received a $4.66 million signing bonus.

At the time Murray started to debate between playing football or baseball, the Athletics offered him another $14 million, reports showed. In all, the $18.66 million turned out to be less than Murray’s signing bonus with the Cardinals of $23.5 million.

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Murray added that signing the deal was everything he dreamed of. Murray is from Arizona and the quarterback said there is not any other place he would rather be than with the Cardinals.

The deal signed by Murray with Arizona contains language protecting the Cardinals if he decides to return to playing baseball. General Manager of the Cardinals Steve Keim said a week ago that the contract with Murray was going to include that language.

Murray, who was last season’s Heisman Trophy winner, will participate in the rookie minicamp for the Cardinals for three days beginning Friday and starting on May 20 voluntary OTAs.