Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Athletics Announce Kyler Murray Decision After Leaving Cardinals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 4, 2026 8:07 PM ET

Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals did not have the 2025 NFL season they were hoping for, ending with a 3-14 record and missing out on the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. Still, when Murray did play, he was solid for the Cardinals, completing 110-of-161 passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, adding another 173 yards and two scores on the ground.

However, Murray was only able to play in five games for Arizona in 2025, suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans. And while the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback still had a few years left on his five-year, $230.5 million deal, the Cardinals decided it was time for a change, cutting the former No. 1 overall pick after seven seasons.

Kyler Murray walks off the field after their 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2025-26 season.Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

But before Murray became a starting quarterback in the NFL, he was a multi-sport athlete in college for the Oklahoma Sooners. In three seasons, while putting together a Heisman Trophy-winning college football career, Murray also played left field for Oklahoma's baseball team. In fact, he was good enough at baseball that the Athletics (formerly the Oakland Athletics) selected him with the No. 9 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.

While Murray ultimately chose the NFL over MLB, the Athletics still hold the rights to the former Cardinals star. And following his release, Athletics general manager David Forst revealed that the MLB team would be open to exploring a return to baseball for Murray.

"Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Forst said to MLB.com. “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.”

Athletics GM David Forst on Kyler Murray potentially returning to baseball at some point, via @MartinJGallegos:

"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.” https://t.co/9CINbklVmB
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) March 4, 2026