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Kyler Murray’s contract extension sets benchmark for future QB contracts

By Sravan Gannavarapu

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at SoFi Stadium on January 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at SoFi Stadium on January 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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After breaking the bank with the Arizona Cardinals on a contract extension, Kyler Murray has set the benchmark for future quarterback contracts.

Five years, $230.5M with $160M in guarantees. To make a long story short, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray got paid handsomely.

Despite an underwhelming performance in the 34-11 wild-card playoff loss to the eventual champion Rams, where Murray posted a QBR of 7.9, going 19/34 for 137 yards and two picks, the former No.1 overall pick is now locked in for the long haul as the franchise quarterback for the birds in the desert.

Then again, the story is not really about him but rather what this agreement entails for future signal callers and their financial security. Murray’s deal now sets a new benchmark for players like Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and notably Lamar Jackson.

The latter of the three is represented by himself. After seeing Deshaun Watson and Murray’s deals, leverage is in his power, despite the constant belittlement that Jackson cannot throw the ball consistently as well as he can run the football.

Kyler Murray did a favor with his new contract and set a benchmark for future quarterbacks when it comes time for them to be paid.

While it may be natural to assume the Cardinals are taking a big gamble on Kyler Murray after what took place in the playoffs last year, the main question goes in a different direction. What choice did they have?

After the Josh Rosen debacle, the Red Birds had no choice but to find a more competent signal caller, and it’s fair to say that Murray is significantly better than Rosen, who recently signed with the Cleveland Browns after other stops in the league since leaving Arizona.

Still, given the magnitude of the deal and the amount of money invested, this, despite the ordeal that took place in Los Angeles a year ago, means quarterbacks like Burrow, who recently had his team in the Super Bowl, will likely be in line for an ever more significant payday.

That is unless Mike Brown reverts to his old money management days, days that players have criticized.

Kyler Murray got paid, but he may have helped his fellow signal-callers around the league. Quarterbacks certainly stick together, don’t they? Especially when it comes to money matters.

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