Kyler Murray leaves the door ‘open’ for baseball career
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Since Kyler Murray made his full commitment to playing football in 2019, he has ascended into one of the NFL’s promising young stars and the Arizona Cardinals‘ franchise quarterback. The thought of a return to baseball has not crossed anyone’s minds but for Murray, he is not closing the door just yet.
“But me personally, I played the game my whole life,” Murray stated in a Thursday media session via Darren Urban of the team’s official website. “If I ever had the opportunity, for sure, I would definitely go for it. What are we talking about? I’m sure anyone asking me bout it would (take the opportunity) too. I’m not trying to start anything. I’m just talking.”
Murray is the only athlete to ever be selected in the first round of both sports. He was selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Oakland A’s. Murray initially pursued baseball but after winning the Heisman Trophy propelling him to the No. 1 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, he switched sports.
He has two years left on his rookie contract plus the fifth-year option and Murray addressed the elephant in the room. Most pro athletes do not have another sport as an alternate plan but Murray does. He has the ability to play another at a high level. He knows he has leverage and put it out into the open that he has not completely shutdown a baseball career but is happy right now playing the game he loves: football.
In 2020, Murray concluded the season with 3,971 yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 67.2 % completion percentage. The dual-threat also made an impact on the ground, notching 819 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He is poised for stardom under center in 2021.
Murray was simply answering a question and facilitating the conversation. He cannot play baseball under his current contract but until the door is slammed, the possibility will hover and the narrative will circulate.
