Why the Cardinals should not give Kyler Murray an extension in 2022

Kyler Murray has now gone through his proverbial third season, so what happens now when it comes to his current contract with the Arizona Cardinals?

As the franchise quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray’s rookie deal is getting closer to expiring. So what should Cardinals general manager Steve Keim do in regards to giving Murray an extension? This topic was explored last season after Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott got his own extension.

The choice that was suggested then comes back again, nearly one year after the post was written. Arizona must avoid giving Murray a significant contract extension. There is no reason to throw 100-plus million dollars at a quarterback who is known for being ice cold in the second half of each respective season he’s played.

The deadline for the Cardinals to pick up Murray‘s fifth-year option is May 2. Because Murray has made more than one Pro Bowl in his short career, if the Cardinals use that fifth-year option, it will come with a one-year cost of around $28.5 million.

Same standards exist for Kyler Murray and Arizona Cardinals from one year ago

While the achievements and progress of Murray cannot be ignored, the quality of those improvements has been frustrating to watch. These past two years have had a more painful ending than watching the 2016 and 2017 seasons, where the seasons came down to missed field goals (thanks, Chandler Catanzaro).

$28.5 million is much easier to handle than giving such a long-term extension that locks the franchise into Murray. With Kliff Kingsbury back on the hot seat for the second year in a row, there’s no sense in handcuffing the next coach who may replace Kingsbury.

Murray can earn a contract extension by doing the following in 2022.

• Stay healthy for an entire year
• Don’t have another late-season collapse
• Lead the Cardinals to a division title
• Lead the Cardinals to a playoff victory

There’s also the possibility that Murray wouldn’t accept the fifth-year option after all. However, he did allegedly delete all of his Cardinals-related pictures on his Instagram account recently.

Buckle up Arizona fans. It’s likely going to be another offseason that’s set to be loaded with drama.