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Kyler Murray takes a big risk by officially choosing the NFL

By Erik Lambert

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 05: Kyler Murray #1 of the Texas A&M Aggies waits near the bench area in the second half of their game against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Advocare Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium on September 5, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 05: Kyler Murray #1 of the Texas A&M Aggies waits near the bench area in the second half of their game against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Advocare Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium on September 5, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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Kyler Murray is hardly the first athlete to balance the decision of whether to play baseball or football at the next stage of his career.

It’s gone both ways several times over the years. Deion Sanders prioritized football over baseball. Bo Jackson favored baseball but chose to play football once league years were over. It went the other way too. Los Angeles Dodgers icon Kirk Gibson was an outstanding wide receiver at Michigan State but was convinced to play baseball instead. Twins All-Star Joe Mauer was a star quarterback in high school but elected to don the catcher’s mitt instead.

Murray has decided to go the other way. Despite being a 1st round pick of the Oakland A’s with a possible $10 million guaranteed in his rookie contract, the Heisman winner believes he has a brighter future in the NFL. There’s no doubt this is true in terms of the potential ceiling given how much quarterbacks get paid. At the same time, there is also a definite warning that must be issued to him. Football is as much about fit as it is talent compared to baseball.

Kyler Murray won’t be able to choose his landing spot like Oklahoma

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One of the reasons that Murray ended up having so much success in football, aside from his obvious talent, was his ability to choose where he decided to attend school. He recognized the need to land in a QB-friendly offense. First he tried Texas A&M with Kevin Sumlin, but after that didn’t work he transferred to Oklahoma where he joined rising star Lincoln Riley. It was a savvy move on his part. The problem is, that freedom isn’t his any longer.

The NFL draft is the ultimate roll of dice. While some quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes land in the absolute ideal situation with coaching and talent, others like Marcus Mariota are trotted through a parade of average that ultimately sucks away the prime of their career. The margin for someone like Murray is even less. He’s a great athlete sure with a good arm and accuracy. The problem is he is only 5’10.

Not a lot of coaches in the NFL know how to maximize a quarterback that size. So Murray is gambling that he’ll end up with a franchise with the kind of staff and roster that can help make him a success. Otherwise, his pro football career may never match what he was able to accomplish in college.

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