The Arizona Cardinals know they have a two-year window in which they have quarterback Kyler Murray on a rookie contract. His cap hit, even as a former No. 1 pick, is a manageable $9.7 million in 2021.
Knowing that, the Cardinals have been aggressive in adding talent around him to try and win a championship before Murray will become very expensive.
Even the fifth-year option in 2023 will be pricey.
With the new collective bargaining agreement from last year, the fifth-year option changed. It pays more like the franchise tag, depending on what that player has done.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared the tiers on Twitter.
The NFL reminded clubs today they have until May 3 to exercise fifth-year options on their first-round picks from the 2018 draft — and the value of those options is based on performance, with players selected to 2+ Pro Bowls getting the 2021 franchise tag number. From the memo: pic.twitter.com/Se2oFLCRxB
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2021
If Murray were in his fourth season this year, these are the tiers for his salary based on things now.
- He would make more than $16.5 million no matter what.
- If he hits the playing time requirement (he will and probably already has), he would make more than $18.5 million.
- For making one Pro Bowl, which Murray has done, that salary goes up to a little more than $23.0 million.
- For multiple Pro Bowls, it would be more than $25.1 million.
With those numbers likely to go up a little next year, Murray’s salary in 2023 will be more than $23 million.
Because it is a one-year option, that is also the cap hit. The only way the Cardinals could reduce his cap hit in 2023 would be to already sign him to a contract extension.
Murray is well on his way to NFL stardom and being one of the league’s best quarterbacks. He will be paid like it before long.
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