QB Kyler Murray set to receive a whopping $92 million from the Cardinals in injury guarantees if he doesn’t pass a physical over the next few months

Murray is currently the only designated quarterback in the Cardinals roster but is unlikely to play in 2023.

QB Kyler Murray set to receive a whopping $92 million from the Cardinals in injury guarantees if he doesn’t pass a physical over the next few months

Fantasy Football users should always be aware of the PUP list (Image via IMAGO)

Instead of playing football, the Arizona Cardinals and their quarterback, Kyler Murray, are playing financial pinball. Given that the new season is only a week away, their fans are starting to wonder whether they will even have a signal caller on week 1.

The expectations were off the charts when the Cardinals drafted Murray as the 2019 first-overall pick. The 26-year-old was bawling for the Sooners in college football and was eyeing a massive move. Several analysts predicted that he would be the Arizona team’s franchise quarterback for years to come. But fast forward to 2023, and that ship has sailed a long way.

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Kyler Murray is now on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, and the Cardinals released veteran center Colt McCoy. But there is even a bigger problem waiting to burst into their face. As noted by Mike Lombardi on Pat McAfee’s show, Murray has millions in injury guarantees that will become fully guaranteed in due time. If he fails to recover, then the team will have no choice but to make a financial commitment.

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This is not uncommon in the NFL. Previously, the Colts benched Matt Ryan for the same reason in 2022. They wanted to avoid the veteran quarterback getting injured to avoid having his 2023 injury guarantees become fully guaranteed.

The Cardinals could be taking a page out of their book. This means Murray will miss the first four games or the entire season.

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What is Kyler Murray’s contract situation with the Arizona Cardinals?

QB Kyler Murray set to receive a whopping $92 million from the Cardinals in injury guarantees if he doesn’t pass a physical over the next few months
The Cardinals are looking to avoid Murray playing in the 2023 season (Image via FOX)

Murray initially signed a four-year rookie contract worth $35.2 million. But last year, they gave him a substantial extension despite his injury, which is causing all the problems for the Cardinals. His $29.9 million in 2025 compensation will become fully guaranteed in March 2024. This means if he were to pick up any injury in 2023 and fail to pass a physical in March of the following year, then the Cardinals cannot avoid a $37 million payout.

However, if they somehow manage to shift him to another side, they can save that money. But it will mean his news side will have to shoulder a burden of $67 million, fully guaranteed. So in the end, Murray will be entitled to bag $97 million. It’s highly unlikely any team would want to go through with it. So it’s in the Cardinals’ best interests to see out the 2023 NFL season and keep him injury-free. Unless they take a shot at a new quarterback, it may be in the shape of Caleb Williams. But for now, they are left with rookie quarterback Clayton Tune.

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