Kyler Murray, a professional football quarterback in the NFL, currently boasts an estimated net worth of $40 million. A highly accomplished player, Murray gained national recognition during his high school years as Gatorade Football Player of the Year and was named the “USA Today” Offensive Player of the Year. His college career followed suit, with numerous accolades and records at both the University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
Notably, Murray won prestigious awards like the Heisman Trophy and the Davey O’Brien Award while playing for Oklahoma. Additionally, he was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Following an impressive college career, Murray was selected as the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He was also the ninth pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft, drafted by the Oakland Athletics. Initially, Murray had committed to playing for the Athletics, with a signing bonus of $4.66 million. However, he ultimately turned down that offer and chose to pursue his NFL career with the Cardinals, where he made an immediate impact.
Murray went on to set several records for rookie quarterbacks with the Cardinals and won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2019. His career also expanded beyond football, as he became a part of the esports and gaming organization FaZe Clan in 2021.
Kyler Murray’s Professional Contracts
In 2019, Murray signed a significant contract with the Arizona Cardinals, a four-year deal worth $35 million, which included a $23 million signing bonus. Then, in 2022, Murray secured a five-year contract extension with the Cardinals valued at $230.5 million. The deal includes $160 million in guaranteed money, making Murray one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league at the time. His average annual earnings from this deal were reported at $46.1 million, which ranked as the second-highest in the NFL behind Aaron Rodgers.
Early Life and Background
Born on August 7, 1997, in Bedford, Texas, Kyler Cole Murray comes from a family with deep athletic roots. His mother, Misun Henderson, and father, Kevin Murray, a former Texas A&M quarterback, gave him a solid foundation in sports. Kyler is also a third-generation Korean American with a rich family history in athletics. His uncle, Calvin Murray, played professional baseball for teams like the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants, while his cousin, Devin Duvernay, currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
Kyler attended Allen High School, where he quickly gained recognition as a standout athlete. During his senior year, he won Gatorade Football Player of the Year honors and was named Mr. Texas Football twice, a unique feat in the history of Texas high school football. His high school football team won three state championships and finished with a perfect 42–0 record. Murray’s talents on the field were further solidified by his selection as a five-star recruit by major sports outlets, including ESPN and Scout.com.
In addition to football, Murray was also an accomplished baseball player, excelling as a second baseman and shortstop. He earned spots in both the Under Armour All-America Football and Baseball Games, becoming the first athlete to participate in both. His commitment to play both football and baseball at Texas A&M University in 2014 was a major step in his athletic career.
College Career and Transition to Oklahoma
Despite being a top prospect for the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, Kyler opted to attend Texas A&M University. Upon his arrival, he competed with fellow freshman Kyle Allen for the starting quarterback role. Allen was chosen as the starter, but after a couple of losses, Murray took over the role and was immediately impressed with a standout performance against South Carolina. He became one of only two quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference’s history to pass for more than 100 yards and rush for over 100 yards in their debut game.
After starting in a few games, Murray lost his starting spot and transferred to the University of Oklahoma in December 2015. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he sat out the 2016 season. In 2017, Murray became the backup quarterback to Baker Mayfield before taking over as the starter in 2018. That year, Murray led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff and Big 12 Championship while earning several awards, including the Heisman Trophy. He also played baseball for Oklahoma, primarily as a left fielder and center fielder.
NFL Journey and Achievements
Murray’s decision to enter the 2019 NFL Draft paid off when he was selected as the first pick by the Arizona Cardinals. He signed a four-year, $35 million contract, which included a $23 million signing bonus. In his debut season, Murray proved his worth by earning the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and setting several rookie records. He was also named to the Pro Bowl and had standout performances that earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
In 2020, Murray continued to build on his success, earning two NFC Offensive Player of the Week titles and a Pro Bowl selection, although the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Murray was named the “Madden NFL 21” Pro Bowl MVP after winning a virtual exhibition game.
Murray’s 2021 season was another notable year, as he was selected for the Pro Bowl for a second consecutive year. Despite an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks, Murray continued to perform at an elite level. In 2022, he signed a lucrative contract extension with the Cardinals, solidifying his place as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Kyler Murray’s Honors and Records
Kyler Murray’s career is decorated with numerous awards and honors. He won Mr. Texas Football twice in 2013 and 2014 and was named AP College Football Player of the Year and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2018. His college achievements were further highlighted by winning the Manning Award and the Heisman Trophy.
In the NFL, Murray has continued to break records, particularly with the Arizona Cardinals. He holds multiple rookie quarterback records, including most games started by a rookie (16), highest completion percentage by a rookie (64.4%), and most passing touchdowns by a rookie (20). Over his career, Murray has also set franchise records for most rushing yards by a quarterback (1,786) and highest career completion percentage (66.9%).
Kyler Murray’s remarkable journey from a high school prodigy to a highly paid NFL quarterback showcases his versatility, talent, and dedication to his craft, both on and off the field.
