The offseason drama between the Arizona Cardinals and their star quarterback Kyler Murray is over and after months of bickering and messages of discontent from both sides, they have reached an absolutely massive contract extension deal, five years and $230.5 million, of which $160 million is fully guaranteed, according to reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Who is the highest paid QB in the NFL?
When this extension kicks in after the two years remaining on his rookie contract run out, Murray will average a whopping $46.1 million per year, the second-highest in the entire NFL behind only Aaron Rodgers‘ (Green Bay Packers) $50.3 million and surpassing the $46 million for Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns).
The difference in Watson’s favor over Murray is that the $230 million the controversial quarterback signed for is fully guaranteed, however, new negotiations for elite quarterbacks in the NFL will have that standard as a starting point.
The drama between Murray and the Cardinals is over
Murray unfollowed the Cardinals on their social media accounts this offseason, while Arizona had doubts about the maturity of their extremely talented quarterback, which generated the rumor that he would be traded, however, apparently this all seemed to be a negotiation strategy that in the end worked out in favor of the still young player.
The Cardinals, with Murray playing to the best of his abilities, were the last team to go undefeated last season, winning their first seven games, however, an injury to the passer and another to star receiver DeAndre Hopkins caused the team to drop five of their last six games, including elimination at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round.
Murray has yet to win his first playoff game in the NFL and that will be his ultimate requirement for the upcoming season.