Murray, Cardinals agree to contract through 2028 season
DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The drama is over and the decision is in: Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals have made a long-term commitment to each other with a new contract that would keep the quarterback in the desert through the 2028 season.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection was taken with the No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma after he won the Heisman Trophy and has largely delivered in his quest to make the Cardinals a better franchise.
The team announced the new contract on Thursday. ESPN reported that the contract could be worth $230.5 million, with $160 million guaranteed.
Murray’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.
Murray’s new contract puts him on par with other young star quarterbacks throughout the league like Buffalo’s Josh Allen, who signed a deal worth more than $250 million last season. Murray will make an average of more than $46 million per season, which is similar to other elite quarterbacks such as Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Allen.
Listed at just 5-foot-10, some around the NFL worried the 24-year-old Murray was too short to be a dominant pro quarterback, but his stats through three seasons prove otherwise.
He’s completed nearly 67% of his passes through 46 career games for 11,480 yards and 70 touchdowns while rushing for 1,786 yards and 20 TDs. Murray is particularly good at extending plays with his feet, using his scrambling ability for spectacular gains.
Arizona had a 5-10-1 record during his rookie season in 2019 but the Cardinals improved to 11-6 last season before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card round during the playoffs.
The deal brings an end to a strange, passive-aggressive offseason contract squabble. At one point, Murray wiped his social media accounts of all references to the Cardinals and it wasn’t clear whether the franchise was ready to make a long-term investment.
The two sides appeared to be on a path toward reconciliation over the past few months. GM Steve Keim said that there was “zero chance” Murray would be traded and the quarterback put on social media that he wanted to win Super Bowls with the Cardinals and called Arizona “home.”
The Cardinals had already picked up Murray’s fifth-year option for the 2023 season, further easing tensions, but Thursday’s news puts an end to any lingering questions.
Now Murray can take the field for training camp next week knowing his football future is secure. The Cardinals face plenty of challenges in 2022, including navigating the first six games without star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was suspended for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Murray and fourth-year coach Kliff Kingsbury are under significant pressure to produce this fall after last year’s late-season collapse. The Cardinals looked like one of the NFL’s best teams in 2021 after starting with a 10-2 record, but lost four of their last five regular-season games before getting beat 34-11 by the Rams in the wild card round.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
If Garoppolo reports with his adoring teammates for camp, this conceivably goes two ways. One, he’s stashed on an injury list to keep him off the practice field for days, perhaps weeks, perhaps so the 49ers can wait for his trade market to reignite. Or, two, he’s cleared for a QB competition, one that still won’t rival the Montana-Young heat amid a dynasty but still will generate massive attention.
Garoppolo is eligible to open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He was excused from the 49ers’ offseason program and minicamp to continue rehabilitation in Los Angeles from March 8 surgery on his throwing shoulder. He hurt that wing in the playoff-opening win at Dallas (a shoulder he also hurt in 2016).
When Garoppolo returned from knee reconstruction in 2019, he did not open camp on the PUP list, and instead was full-go from the outset all the way to Super Bowl LIV. Heck, if he goes on PUP now and doesn’t come off it all season, the last year of his contract tolls into 2023, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
When Colin Kaepernick came off shoulder surgery for 2016 camp, 49ers doctors cleared him, only to see him develop arm tightness after two weeks. He rested two preseason games and didn’t reclaim his starting role until Week 6 of his final season.
Kyle Shanahan said in June that Garoppolo’s right thumb injury (in December at Tennessee) didn’t require surgery. Mind you, he only began throwing two to three weeks ago, The Athletic reported. If the thumb or shoulder flares up, well, then more injury-list time could keep Garoppolo shelved. By the way, being on the PUP list to start the season would eliminate him from playing the first six games, and his $24 million salary would still be in effect.
If Garoppolo reports with his adoring teammates for camp, this conceivably goes two ways. One, he’s stashed on an injury list to keep him off the practice field for days, perhaps weeks, perhaps so the 49ers can wait for his trade market to reignite. Or, two, he’s cleared for a QB competition, one that still won’t rival the Montana-Young heat amid a dynasty but still will generate massive attention.
Garoppolo is eligible to open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He was excused from the 49ers’ offseason program and minicamp to continue rehabilitation in Los Angeles from March 8 surgery on his throwing shoulder. He hurt that wing in the playoff-opening win at Dallas (a shoulder he also hurt in 2016).
When Garoppolo returned from knee reconstruction in 2019, he did not open camp on the PUP list, and instead was full-go from the outset all the way to Super Bowl LIV. Heck, if he goes on PUP now and doesn’t come off it all season, the last year of his contract tolls into 2023, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
When Colin Kaepernick came off shoulder surgery for 2016 camp, 49ers doctors cleared him, only to see him develop arm tightness after two weeks. He rested two preseason games and didn’t reclaim his starting role until Week 6 of his final season.
Kyle Shanahan said in June that Garoppolo’s right thumb injury (in December at Tennessee) didn’t require surgery. Mind you, he only began throwing two to three weeks ago, The Athletic reported. If the thumb or shoulder flares up, well, then more injury-list time could keep Garoppolo shelved. By the way, being on the PUP list to start the season would eliminate him from playing the first six games, and his $24 million salary would still be in effect.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
Doug Benc
If Garoppolo is not traded, Shanahan said in June he expects him to practice at camp. Asked if he’d excuse him from action, Shanahan replied: “I’ll think about that when that day comes, but Jimmy is under contract with us, and if he was healthy, right now I would see him coming to practice. Unless we traded him.”
Garoppolo’s agent, Don Yee, did not return messages seeking comment, but he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Monday that Garoppolo is “progressing well and on schedule. We’re optimistic about the upcoming season.”
Garoppolo surely would be eased into practice, giving Lance more first-team reps, which he took all of this offseason. Aug. 12 is the preseason opener against the Packers, who Garoppolo and the 49ers upset amid the Lambeau Field snow for their last playoff win.
Brace for Garoppolo-Lance daily stat updates if the 49ers allow for a camp competition – and all the distraction that comes with it. That follows a summer in which Garoppolo rehabbed behind the scenes. Lance not only was QB1 at 49ers HQ but also did extensive work with 49ers’ receivers in Southern California private workouts, including one this week in which Brandon Aiyuk mocked recent reports that Lance is prone to arm fatigue.
Doug Benc
If Garoppolo is not traded, Shanahan said in June he expects him to practice at camp. Asked if he’d excuse him from action, Shanahan replied: “I’ll think about that when that day comes, but Jimmy is under contract with us, and if he was healthy, right now I would see him coming to practice. Unless we traded him.”
Garoppolo’s agent, Don Yee, did not return messages seeking comment, but he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Monday that Garoppolo is “progressing well and on schedule. We’re optimistic about the upcoming season.”
Garoppolo surely would be eased into practice, giving Lance more first-team reps, which he took all of this offseason. Aug. 12 is the preseason opener against the Packers, who Garoppolo and the 49ers upset amid the Lambeau Field snow for their last playoff win.
Brace for Garoppolo-Lance daily stat updates if the 49ers allow for a camp competition – and all the distraction that comes with it. That follows a summer in which Garoppolo rehabbed behind the scenes. Lance not only was QB1 at 49ers HQ but also did extensive work with 49ers’ receivers in Southern California private workouts, including one this week in which Brandon Aiyuk mocked recent reports that Lance is prone to arm fatigue.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
Ron Schwane
Before reminding you which teams made quarterback moves that blocked Garoppolo’s path to them, some still could find him handy:
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson’s potential suspension could expedite their need to bring in Garoppolo to lead a similar, run-oriented offense under coach Kevin Stefanski. This is a quarterback graveyard, however.
New York Giants: Garoppolo is 4-0 vs. the NFC East in his career, and he could be a savvy find if new coach Brian Daboll ends the Daniel Jones experiment. Daboll was a New England Patriots assistant in Garoppolo’s first three NFL seasons there.
Houston Texans: All due respect to Stanford product Davis Mills but Garoppolo’s veteran presence might be more coveted for a youth-laden roster under Lovie Smith. The Texans’ chaotic state (of their franchise) should scare off Garoppolo, who met the Houston humidity in 2018 training camp there.
Seattle Seahawks: This just doesn’t seem likely, at least not via an in-division trade. But Geno Smith and Drew Lock don’t inspire confidence as long-term caretakers. Maybe the Seahawks just want a gap-year option before they return to contention in 2023.
Other spots that wouldn’t be shocking: the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots or the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ron Schwane
Before reminding you which teams made quarterback moves that blocked Garoppolo’s path to them, some still could find him handy:
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson’s potential suspension could expedite their need to bring in Garoppolo to lead a similar, run-oriented offense under coach Kevin Stefanski. This is a quarterback graveyard, however.
New York Giants: Garoppolo is 4-0 vs. the NFC East in his career, and he could be a savvy find if new coach Brian Daboll ends the Daniel Jones experiment. Daboll was a New England Patriots assistant in Garoppolo’s first three NFL seasons there.
Houston Texans: All due respect to Stanford product Davis Mills but Garoppolo’s veteran presence might be more coveted for a youth-laden roster under Lovie Smith. The Texans’ chaotic state (of their franchise) should scare off Garoppolo, who met the Houston humidity in 2018 training camp there.
Seattle Seahawks: This just doesn’t seem likely, at least not via an in-division trade. But Geno Smith and Drew Lock don’t inspire confidence as long-term caretakers. Maybe the Seahawks just want a gap-year option before they return to contention in 2023.
Other spots that wouldn’t be shocking: the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots or the Philadelphia Eagles.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
David Zalubowski
One injury could thrust any team into the Garoppolo market, such as in 2016 when the Vikings summoned Sam Bradford from the Eagles to replace Teddy Bridgewater, who got hurt a few days earlier.
While Garoppolo’s shoulder surgery kept some teams from pursuing him, the NFL’s quarterback carousel was at a whirlwind. Here are which teams looked elsewhere, for either a starter or a prime backup instead of Garoppolo:
Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Indianapolis Colts: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Nick Foles (Bears)
New Orleans Saints: Jameis Winston (Saints), Andy Dalton (Bears)
Seattle Seahawks: Lock (Broncos), Smith (Seahawks)
Miami Dolphins: Bridgewater (Broncos)
New York Giants: Tyrod Taylor (Texans)
David Zalubowski
One injury could thrust any team into the Garoppolo market, such as in 2016 when the Vikings summoned Sam Bradford from the Eagles to replace Teddy Bridgewater, who got hurt a few days earlier.
While Garoppolo’s shoulder surgery kept some teams from pursuing him, the NFL’s quarterback carousel was at a whirlwind. Here are which teams looked elsewhere, for either a starter or a prime backup instead of Garoppolo:
Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Indianapolis Colts: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Nick Foles (Bears)
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
Jed Jacobsohn
The 49ers haven’t released Garoppolo yet, so why would they do so before camp, when his salary doesn’t become guaranteed until Week 1 in September? True, a $7.5 million injury guarantee could impact things.
But whatever distraction might come from having him around to compete or rehab would seem like familiar ground, that the 49ers already plowed last season with him and Lance working side by side.
The 49ers have $4.375 million in salary cap space, so keeping Garoppolo on the books is not prohibiting them from crafting an extension for Deebo Samuel (or Nick Bosa) if they creatively move guaranteed money into 2023. Perhaps Garoppolo would take a pay cut in hopes of reclaiming cash via incentives.
For those scoffing at a $24 million salary for a backup, indeed, that’s insanely bloated, but the 49ers can defend it by saying they’re committing $35 million of the cap to Garoppolo and Lance, not to mention another $2 million to would-be backup Nate Sudfeld. The Titans have a $39 million cap figure just for Ryan Tannehill and the Chiefs have a $36 million slot for Patrick Mahomes.
The 49ers’ brass, including ownership, remains fond of Garoppolo. Eventually he’ll be pushed out the door. If he wants to leave on his own recognizance publicly, they’d likely do that, if a market remains dry through camp, which is still two weeks from beginning.
What if Garoppolo, at age 30, wants to retire? He’s indicated otherwise, that he hopes to rebound from shoulder surgery for a long career. No one would blame him if he after building up credible career equity (over $110 million, a 37-16 starting record, two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s backup). He could go lead a life of leisure and do endorsements (cue: Subway commercial line how “it’s a good thing he’s so handsome.”)
Or he could look to cash in on the NFL’s never-ending financial boom, where the rich can get richer, whoever employs them.
Jed Jacobsohn
The 49ers haven’t released Garoppolo yet, so why would they do so before camp, when his salary doesn’t become guaranteed until Week 1 in September? True, a $7.5 million injury guarantee could impact things.
But whatever distraction might come from having him around to compete or rehab would seem like familiar ground, that the 49ers already plowed last season with him and Lance working side by side.
The 49ers have $4.375 million in salary cap space, so keeping Garoppolo on the books is not prohibiting them from crafting an extension for Deebo Samuel (or Nick Bosa) if they creatively move guaranteed money into 2023. Perhaps Garoppolo would take a pay cut in hopes of reclaiming cash via incentives.
For those scoffing at a $24 million salary for a backup, indeed, that’s insanely bloated, but the 49ers can defend it by saying they’re committing $35 million of the cap to Garoppolo and Lance, not to mention another $2 million to would-be backup Nate Sudfeld. The Titans have a $39 million cap figure just for Ryan Tannehill and the Chiefs have a $36 million slot for Patrick Mahomes.
The 49ers’ brass, including ownership, remains fond of Garoppolo. Eventually he’ll be pushed out the door. If he wants to leave on his own recognizance publicly, they’d likely do that, if a market remains dry through camp, which is still two weeks from beginning.
What if Garoppolo, at age 30, wants to retire? He’s indicated otherwise, that he hopes to rebound from shoulder surgery for a long career. No one would blame him if he after building up credible career equity (over $110 million, a 37-16 starting record, two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s backup). He could go lead a life of leisure and do endorsements (cue: Subway commercial line how “it’s a good thing he’s so handsome.”)
Or he could look to cash in on the NFL’s never-ending financial boom, where the rich can get richer, whoever employs them.
Murray, Cardinals agree to contract through 2028 season
Marcio Jose Sanchez
FILE - Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Kyler Murray has agreed to a long-term contract that will keep the quarterback with the Arizona Cardinals through the 2028 season. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Marcio Jose Sanchez
FILE - Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Kyler Murray has agreed to a long-term contract that will keep the quarterback with the Arizona Cardinals through the 2028 season. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
