Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals yet to offer Kyler Murray new contract

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/14/22

It appears the Arizona Cardinals and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray couldn't go an entire month without generating headlines regarding their alleged rocky relationship this spring.

Following Murray's much-publicized social-media activities in February that were followed by Erik Burkhardt, Murray's agent, announcing to the world his client wanted to sign an extension this offseason, the first-overall pick from the 2019 draft seemed to clear the air last month when he said he was "not really too worried about" his future with the Cardinals. Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury later remarked he and his signal-caller were "in a good place."

"Good" may have been doing some heavy lifting in that sentence, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday afternoon the Cardinals still haven't offered Murray a long-term contract:

The #Cardinals have yet to make a contract offer to Pro Bowl QB Kyler Murray, whose agent, Erik Burkhardt, informed the team weeks ago he was pulling his opening proposal off the table, per sources.

Other teams are monitoring closely; Arizona insists Murray won’t be traded.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2022

Pelissero went so far as to hint Murray could threaten to remain away from the organization, possibly through the start of the season, as a negotiation tactic:

Four QBs – Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr – have signed contract extensions worth $40 million or more in the past month as the market continues to go up.

Murray is due about $5.5 million in 2022, and it’d be a surprise if he plays on that deal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2022

The #Cardinals have said they want to extend Kyler Murray eventually, and Murray said recently “I'm not really too worried about my future as a Cardinal." But with two weeks until the draft, there are no negotiations, and other teams are watching. A situation to monitor. https://t.co/N0sT3duzgX
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2022

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim made it known ahead of the start of the new league year he plans to pick up the fifth-year option attached to Murray's rookie contract by May 2, a decision that wouldn't prevent the two sides from discussing an extension throughout the summer and even into the fall.

Murray's problem for at least the 2022 season may be that he finds himself in a situation similar to what Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns is experiencing. The NFL quarterback carousel has essentially stopped, and the Cardinals have no reason to trade the 24-year-old for anything other than a massive haul before or after the upcoming draft that runs from April 28 through April 30.

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