In addition to the NFL teams potentially interested in Kyler Murray, once he's released by the Arizona Cardinals, there is another wild card: MLB's Athletics.
The A's hold Murray's baseball rights after making him the No. 9 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. A year later, the former Heisman Trophy winner elected to take his talents to the NFL, where the Cards selected him No. 1 overall in 2019.
With the Cards set to release the two-time Pro Bowler, A's general manager David Frost was asked about the possibility of Murray having a place with the ballclub.
"Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career," Forst told MLB.com on Wednesday. "That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we're always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A's if that time ever comes."
Murray, who bats and throws right-handed, was regarded as a five-tool outfielder during his time at the University of Oklahoma. However, seven years out of baseball is an eternity, even for the best of the best.
The 28-year-old quarterback should have plenty of options to sign an NFL contract in 2026, given his starting experience in a weak market and the ability to sign a veteran-minimum contract while Arizona pays him $36-plus million in guaranteed money. But, hey, if for some reason nothing metalizes, he could join the A's. It's always good to have options.
In Murray's goodbye social media post to Arizona fans, he did say his “best ball” was in front of him. He didn't specify football.
