Oklahoma quarterback and Oakland Athletics first-round draft pick Kyler Murray has decided to fully pursue a career within the NFL, he announced on Twitter today.
“Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback,” Murray’s statement reads. “Football has been my love and my passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100% of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.
“I have started an extensive training program to further prepare myself for upcoming NFL workouts and interviews. I eagerly await the opportunity to continue to prove to NFL decision makers that I am the franchise this draft.”
Murray, who won the 2018 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns during his only year as the Sooners’ starting quarterback, formally entered the draft in January and recently announced he’d be attending the NFL scouting combine. Still, it was unclear whether Murray would choose to accept the $4.66MM signing bonus he received from the Athletics as the No. 9 overall selection, or instead head to the NFL. MLB, for its part, was willing to allow Murray to sign a Major League contract with Oakland that would have allowed to buoy his earning power.
Murray, though, clearly seems to favor football over baseball, and given that he’s expected to selected in the first round of the NFL draft (and thus become the first athlete ever chosen in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com), Murray should be able to top his MLB guarantees. The No. 32 pick in the NFL draft — the final slot in the first round — will receive a signing bonus of roughly $5.414MM, per Over the Cap, a value that tops Murray’s MLB bonus. Additionally, the entire value of any first-round NFL pick’s contract will be fully guaranteed.
Huge mistake, what’s he like 5’8”
Agreed!!! Any team that drafts him. Will be getting a huge bust. Running QBs dont last in the NFL.
Funny how long Vick was in the league
Vick was 6’1″, 215 lbs. Murray is what? 5’9″ 170lb…?
Hope he doesn’t get injured
I hope he gets creamed at the combine.
dude has every right to do what he wants. my personal opinion is he in for an uphill battle as a NFL QB. He is going to need a team with a creative offense to maximize is skill set. I think the worries over how he absorbs hits in the NFL is a valid concern. Any team selecting him in the 1st round is gambling. He’s got skills for sure but with all the ? he feels like a 2nd rounder at the earliest. If he is available day 2 I can see some team trading up to the first pick and nabbing him.
its an uphill battle for him if he goes to the MLB. in the MLB a lot of top prospects do not see the big leagues even after years of minor league ball
A’s knew the risk, they didn’t have to draft him.
I wouldnt say they knew the risk. They drafted him, he signed, then they gave him permission to play his last season at college expecting him to return to baseball after that was done. That was the jist of what was supposed to happen the moment the A’s let him play. I doubt Murray said “oh and by the way, if you draft me, i still might go play football anyway even after i sign”.
A’s didnt have to draft him but Murray didnt have to sign either. It goes both ways.
Do people on here even watch college football or listen to the experts? Like height does not matter anymore Mayfield a shorter QB just went 1, there’s no point in talking about Murray’s height until we find out what it actually is at the combine. He did just fine throwing over NFL sized linemen last year, took hits from NFL sized defensive players there is no injury or durability concerns. People talk about running QBs not doing well, he’s not like an RG3, Luck or Newton that lets the defender hit him, he is a Vick type player that uses his elusiveness to not take hits. Now that’s he’s committed to football he’s not falling past 15.
Exactly…. speed of the defenses is the biggest difference from college to NFL. Drew Brees, Russell Wilson are 5’10 on good days
Stop making things up. Brees was measured at 6′ 0″ at the NFL combine. Wilson measured in at 5’11”. Plus, they’ve got about 30-40 lbs on Murray.
Do people on here like to make things up or??? It takes 2 seconds to use google, when searching Wilson weight he’s 206, Murray weight is 194 and 5’11. and Brees is 209
He’ll be second guessing himself the first time some LB or S cleans his clock.
What makes his durability any different from the QB that played before him? Plus, from watching him play this year, he definitely knows how to slide and protect himself.
Isnt he lighter than most NFL QBs? If so that would reasonable effect durability
I mean… there’s no rule against him gaining wait, since the majority of players do before the combine & draft.
Sure, but a shorter person will not pack as much weight when the put on weight as a taller person would. Murray being one if the shorter QBs isnt going to put on the same weight Cam Newton walks around at. He is going to be lighter than most QBs unless he wants to be overweight for his size
AAF MVP
I’m sure he’s being asked of his commitment level so his PR guys have drafted this up. If he’s drafted in the 3-4 round he will go to baseball, but with this he’s saying I will play football—-you can trust drafting me in the first round. Just casting out there and hoping the big fish (first round) takes the bait so he can set the hook. Not saying he’s worth or not worth picking anywhere as my team already has Aaron Rodgers.
He told the A’s he was absolutely be playing baseball. So I wouldn’t trust anything he says.
Apparently the kid already has brain damage picking football over baseball.
Short term NFL look good because he could make good money right way. But long term.if he pan on in baseball he probably make more than he would in the NFL and there less future health risk.
This kid is going to be a superstar! He is a much better passer than Vick ever was.
Amen! He’s going to the Lions at 8 if he’s still there. He’s the new Russell Wilson.