Kyler Murray’s Oklahoma Sooners were eliminated from the College Football Playoff last night, and the watch is officially on to see whether or not he’ll enter the NFL Draft. Murray is a two-sport athlete who was drafted ninth overall by the A’s to play baseball. The A’s gave him a nearly $5MM signing bonus to play baseball, but his Heisman winning season has left open the possibility that he’ll decide to play football instead.
Speaking before the game against Alabama, Murray didn’t shut the door on an NFL career even though his baseball agent has insisted he’ll be playing pro baseball, saying “it’s never bad to have options” according to Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com.. It’s unclear where Murray might go in the draft if he declares, and reports have him going anywhere from early in the first round to late on Day 2. With spring training for MLB teams set to begin in just a couple of months, we should know more about his intentions very soon.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Speaking of the draft, today’s Week 17 slate gave us some much anticipated clarity about the 2019 NFL draft order. The top 18 is officially set, per ESPN, with the Cardinals picking first overall. The 49ers, Jets, Raiders, and Buccaneers will round out the top five. The Cardinals will likely have a new coach and possibly new front office making the decision, and plenty of the top teams could be looking to trade down with teams more in need of a quarterback.
- Guard Jamon Brown has played well for the Giants since being claimed off waivers from the Rams earlier this year, but New York hasn’t tried to negotiate a new contract with him yet, a source told Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. Brown is set to be a free agent this offseason, and could land a decent sized payday. He’s been a solid starter in his career, but was waived by the Rams shortly after returning from a two game suspension.
- Raiders tight end Paul Butler has been inactive for both games he’s been on the 53-man roster, but the team apparently thinks highly of him. Oakland promoted him from the practice squad because the Lions were trying to sign him away, a source told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (Twitter link). Butler is a rookie UDFA from tiny school California University of Pennsylvania.
If Murray enters the draft and continues to play football he’ll end up being the best QB in the class. Such a special player
5’8” doesn’t work in the nfl
Meh. He’s the same size as Brees and Wilson. With an absolute ridiculous arm.
I’m not saying he would be good but I’m not buying the size argument. Cheap excuse.
I think short qbs are not good NFL qbs . now their are exceptions and a lot of the shorter qbs can’t see over the line so they have to roll out . most of the shorter qbs rely on their feet and most the time if they get hurt and the injury hi ders their running it hinders their passing game. short qbs can have success but most do not . the safe pick for him is baseball the hard road is football and it really depends on which path he has dreamed about since he was little as that is where is hearts at and where he should follow
I think short qbs are not good NFL qbs . now their are exceptions and a lot of the shorter qbs can’t see over the line so they have to roll out . most of the shorter qbs rely on their feet and most the time if they get hurt and the injury hinders their running it hinders their passing game. short qbs can have success but most do not . the safe pick for him is baseball the hard road is football and it really depends on which path he has dreamed about since he was little as that is where is hearts at and where he should follow
Tell that to Doug Flutie!
short qbs have to be in a system suited for them or its gonna be really tough to be any good
Why not play both and keep your 5 million signing bonus
The contract he signed with the A’s says he can’t collect the bonus if he plays football
No way I’d play NFL over the MLB. Better money and longer career.
Not to mention MLB contracts are 100% guaranteed
It’s takes about 5-6 years to actually get paid though
No respect for Kyler If he goes back on the contract he signed. If he had doubts, he shouldn’t have agreed to take 5mil to play baseball
If he decides to play football instead of baseball his contract with the A’s stipulates he has to pay the bonus money back. There is nothing wrong with him deciding to do that if it is what he really wants to do.
If I were Murray, go baseball! There is no salary cap in baseball!
have to believe the giants would do everything in their power to sign Brown. his presence correlated with their somewhat strong/competitive finish
I would resign brown as well. And then upgrade at RT either draft or FA. I would imagine they will stick with Hernandez and Solder on the left side. But with that said if there is a good LT in a spot for them to take they should.