Kyler Murray extends contract with Cardinals, analysts weigh in

According to some sources, Kyler Murray just signed a five-year extension with the Cardinals that will last until 2028. As per the NFL Network, the contract is worth $230,5 million and includes a guaranteed $160 million. However, this agreement is not without criticisms. Check out the best new bookmakers for betting on the NFL.

The contract provided him with one of the highest annual salaries in NFL history, at $46,1 million, ranking him second on the list of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks.

Murray is only one spot behind Aaron Rodgers in terms of annual average salary with the Packers. He also outperforms other players such as Deshaun Watson ($46 million), Patrick Mahomes ($45 million), and Josh Allen ($43 million). Deshaun Watson is now $500,000 behind him in terms of the overall deal worth due to his extension.

Check out the top sportsbook providers for betting on the NFL

1.

4.6/5

DraftKings Review

New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Min. $5 first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Plus, upon qualifying bet placement, get 1 100% Profit Boost Token, valid only for a NCAA Tournament Winner bet. Max. Bet: $10. Profit Boost Tokens are single-use and expire on 4/6/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Must select Token BEFORE placing bet. Boost only applies to winnings. Ends 4/6/26 11:59 PM ET. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook

2.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets Every Day For 10 Days

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). Hope is here. MA Gambling Helpline or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook

3.

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.

4.3/5

Fanatics Review

Bet $50, Get $300 in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-522-4700, Home (MD), (800)-327-5050 or MA Gambling Helpline (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 or CONNECTICUT COUNCIL – ON PROBLEM GAMBLING (CT), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), If gambling is more than a game, free help is available . . . – NCDHHS Problem Gambling (NC). New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Must opt-in and wager $10+ cash on any market with odds of -500 or longer to receive $100 in FanCash each day for your first 3 days (issued when qualifying wager settles). Your 3 days begin the day you establish your account. FanCash rewards expire at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply – see Fanatics Sportsbook app.

5.

Barstool Review

USA Players Welcome

Best Alternative

Open DraftKings

The Murray-Cardinals agreement, which creates a new market benchmark for the position at $46,1 million per year, will also probably have an influence on the ongoing key negotiations with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.

“It’s a blessing,” Murray’s response to a press conference’s question about the contract. “I’m so grateful and honored for the confidence that they’ve shown in me and the faith that they showed me.”

There was “zero chance,” according to Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, that Arizona would trade Murray. Hence, later that month, the team chose to exercise Murray’s fifth-year option.

Since joining the team, Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has made a significant contribution to Arizona. Along with 1,786 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, he has thrown for 11,480 yards with 70 touchdowns and 34 interceptions.

He has been chosen for the Pro Bowl twice, and in each of his first three seasons (87.4 in 2019, 94.3 in 2020, and 100.6 in 2021), his passer rating has increased.

Despite the agonizing loss to the Rams, the Cardinals have improved every year, going from 5-10-1 to 8-8 two years ago and 11-6 last season. This improvement has been most noticeable during Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s three-year contract.

It is also worth noting that Murray previously played baseball for the Oklahoma Sooners before deciding to play football, which led to this lucrative contract.

Analysts weigh in

An NFL commentator chastised the Cardinals for paying Murray such a large sum that, on an annual basis, he is the NFL’s second-highest paid player.

Emmanuel Acho called the contract a “huge mistake” during an appearance on FS1’s Speak for Yourself.

“You want to pay a guy $230 million with a losing record. You want to pay a guy $230 million with one playoff appearance. You want to pay a guy $230 million with no playoff wins,” Acho noted.

“I’m [a] former player, I’m glad Kyler got his money. But it was a huge mistake. It was a catastrophic mistake for the cardinals because he has not yet done anything to dictate that he deserved this kind of money,” he remarked.

Clay Travis also talked about Murray’s new contract and what it means for the Cardinals, highlighting that Murray’s performance during the last stretch of the season was not particularly strong.