Kyler Murray Chooses NFL Over MLB...Right Call?
By Vik Chokshi
Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray has announced his NFL Decision, which might come as a shocker to a lot of people. Via his Twitter account, Murray proclaimed that he is choosing the NFL over MLB.
— Kyler Murray (@K1) February 11, 2019
"“Football has been my love and passion my entire life,” Murray wrote in a picture posted to Twitter. “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 QB in this draft.”"
This is huge news, especially when it comes to the NFL Draft. Murray is viewed by many as the top quarterback prospect in the 2019 NFL draft.
In opting for football instead of baseball, Murray will return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million signing bonus he received last year and forfeit the remaining $3.16 million.
Kyler Murray will return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million signing bonus money the Oakland A’s gave him last year. He forfeits the remaining $3.16 million due March 1. The A’s will put him on the restricted list and retain Murray’s rights, but they don’t get a comp draft pick.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 11, 2019
His monetary expectation depends in large part on convincing NFL teams he is all-in; he gets more money the earlier he is drafted. If he were to slip because of concerns about his commitment, then that could actually make the financial differences between the two options a much closer call.
Murray threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns while adding 1,001 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground this past season.