“We’re Always Open”: A’s GM Discusses Kyler Murray’s Potential Return to Baseball

Seven years after choosing football over baseball, Kyler Murray suddenly finds himself at a crossroads again. The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly planning to release the former No. 1 overall pick at the start of the 2026 league year.

For Murray, the move could mark the beginning of a new opportunity in the NFL. But it has also revived an unexpected conversation about a second professional path that once seemed closed. That path leads back to Major League Baseball.

Long before he became a franchise quarterback, Murray was one of the most electrifying two-sport athletes in college sports. In fact, the Oakland Athletics selected him ninth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, convinced his elite athleticism could translate into a dynamic outfielder at the professional level.

When Murray ultimately chose the NFL after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2018, it appeared the baseball chapter had closed permanently. Yet the Athletics never completely shut the door. Even now, the organization still holds his baseball rights. And its front office has made clear that Murray would be welcome if he ever decided to pick up a bat again.

1. Could Murray Realistically Return to MLB?

With the Arizona Cardinals preparing to release the two-time Pro Bowler, the Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst was asked by MLB.com whether Murray could potentially have a future with the Oakland Athletics. Forst responded by saying, “Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback, and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career. That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.” The Athletics’ openness ensures that Murray technically has another professional path available if he ever chooses to pursue it. Few players ever reach a point where two professional sports remain viable options, even years after their careers have taken a different direction. For now, Murray’s most realistic opportunities still appear to be in the NFL. The former No. 1 overall pick is expected to draw interest once the Arizona Cardinals officially release him at the start of the new league year. At 28, he remains young enough to compete for a starting job or serve as a valuable veteran option for quarterback-needy teams around the league.

2. Kyler Murray’s Unfinished Baseball Story

Before his rise as an NFL quarterback, Murray was widely viewed as one of the most intriguing baseball prospects in the country. At the University of Oklahoma, he balanced a demanding football schedule with a legitimate role on the diamond for the Oklahoma Sooners. Scouts were captivated by his speed, arm strength, and explosive athleticism; traits that made him projectable as a potential five-tool outfielder. His final collegiate baseball season in 2018 offered a glimpse of what might have been. Murray hit .296 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in just 51 games, combining raw power with the kind of base-running speed that can alter a game. While those numbers alone were impressive, evaluators were even more intrigued by his ceiling. The Athletics believed strongly enough in that potential to select him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The organization also committed significant resources to securing his future in baseball, giving him a $4.66 million signing bonus. The plan at the time was simple: Murray would finish his final football season at Oklahoma before fully transitioning to baseball. The turning point arrived during Murray’s final season with Oklahoma’s football program. Stepping in as the Sooners’ starting quarterback in 2018, he delivered one of the most explosive seasons in college football history. Winning the Heisman Trophy instantly transformed his professional outlook. Instead of being viewed primarily as a baseball prospect with football ability, Murray suddenly emerged as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country.

3. Have We Seen Enough of QB Murray, Or Will He Stay in the NFL?

From the Athletics’ perspective, leaving the door open carries little downside. Murray remains an extraordinary athlete, and his raw tools could still translate if he committed to the game. Even after years away, his speed and explosiveness would immediately stand out in a baseball environment. Yet realistically, the odds remain slim. Quarterback-needy teams across the NFL are constantly searching for experienced starters, and Murray’s track record ensures he will receive opportunities. Compared with starting over in the minors, continuing his football career is by far the more logical next step. If Murray were to seriously pursue baseball again, he would almost certainly need to begin in the minor leagues. Many players reach the major leagues in their early-to-mid twenties, meaning Murray would be restarting his development against younger players who have spent years refining their skills. Financially, the contrast between football and baseball is also stark. Even a backup quarterback in the NFL can earn millions of dollars per season, while minor league salaries are far more modest. Unless Murray had an overwhelming personal desire to return to baseball, the economic incentives alone make the NFL route more appealing.

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