Two-Time Pro Bowler Opts To Skip Voluntary Workouts With Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals will hold organized team activities (OTA) this week, but one player who won’t be around is quarterback Kyler Murray.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the top pick of the 2019 NFL Draft won’t be at the voluntary workouts and all has been quiet as far as Murray’s contract is concerned.

However, it remains to be seen if this will radiate until the mandatory minicamp of the Cardinals that is set to take place from June 14 to 16.

The Cardinals picked up the fifth-year option on Murray last month, meaning he will be earning $29 million in 2023.

But looking beyond that, the 2019 NFL Offensive Player of the Year is looking for a long-term contract extension.

Back in February, Murray’s agent Erik Burkhardt posted on social media a letter detailing the contract proposal that was sent to the Cardinals.

To date, the contract issue has yet to be resolved. However, general manager Steve Keim stressed that the Cardinals have no plans of trading Murray.

Moreover, the team executive pointed out how other quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen got their deals in the summer.

"Nothing has changed in terms of him being our long-term and short-term quarterback," Keim stated.

Worth noting as well is that Murray appears inclined to stay in Arizona. This is despite murmurs that the 24-year-old is not completely happy with the Cardinals and vice versa.

The Texas native is headed into the fourth year of his rookie contract with the Cardinals and is looking for a long-term deal.

After picking up the option on him, Murray is under contract with the Cardinals for two more seasons.

Hence, it appears that the Cardinals and Murray’s camp will continue negotiations heading into the 2022-23 NFL season.

Missing voluntary workouts may be a bit shocking, but the real score on Murray and other NFL players opting to pass on the OTAs may be clearer once mandatory activities come around.