Kyler Murray comps: Recent NFL QB extensions following Year 3

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has made clear his desire for a contract extension this offseason.

The narrative was pushed a step further Monday when the quarterback’s agent issued a statement highlighting Murray’s accomplishments and desire to remain in Arizona.

Sooner or later, the Cardinals will have to decide whether or not to commit long term to Murray or pick up his fifth-year option and let his rookie contract run its course.

Entering Year 4, Murray is expected to make $5.5 million on his current rookie deal.

But is awarding the signal caller with an extension after his third NFL season worth it in the eyes of the Cardinals? There’s been noticeable improvement since the QB was taken No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, but one playoff appearance and questions surrounding his leadership are two variables to consider before inking a new deal.

Some teams have opted to reward their signal callers early on. Others, like the Baltimore Ravens, have opted against an early extension, even if Lamar Jackson has the 2019 NFL MVP on his resume. Jackson, whose fifth-year option was picked up for 2022, is another name looking for a pay day as the offseason unfolds.

With that being said, here’s a look at the other QBs who recently received extensions after their third season, the circumstances surrounding the new deals and how things have shook out since:

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Extension signed: August 2021

Drafted: 2018 (No. 7 overall pick)

We don’t have to go back too far to find one of the most recent quarterback extensions from around the league in the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen.

Following a trip to the AFC Conference Championship in 2020, the Bills awarded Allen with a six-year, $258 million deal.

Allen put up a stellar season ahead of his new contract, throwing for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions on 69.2% passing. The Pro Bowler also ran the rock 102 times for 421 yards and eight scores.

It marked the second straight playoff appearance for Allen and the Bills since drafting the signal caller in 2018.

Since the signing:

Allen and the Bills cashed their ticket to the postseason for a third consecutive season.

In arguably one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history, Buffalo was on the losing end of a 42-36 AFC Divisional round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

While it wasn’t the finish he wanted, Allen put up 4,407 yards and 36 touchdowns to 15 picks on 63.3% passing. He also carried the ball 122 times for 763 yards (career high) and six touchdowns.

Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

Extension signed: September 2020

Drafted: 2017 (No. 12 overall pick)

It seemed like a no-brainer at the time when the Houston Texans decided to extend quarterback Deshaun Watson to the tune of four years for $156 million ahead of the 2020 season.

In his two full years as a starter, Watson completed 67.8% of his passes for 8,017 yards and 52 touchdowns to 21 interceptions. He added another 964 yards and 12 scores on 181 carries.

His play led the Texans to back-to-back playoff berths, losing in the Wild Card in 2018 before falling off in the divisional round the following season.

Since the signing:

That steady trajectory Watson was on took an absolute shot following his extension.

After failing to the make the playoffs with a 4-12 finish in 2020, Watson did not play a single down in 2021 due to multiple sexual assault allegations levied against the quarterback.

With Watson a healthy scratch, the Texans floundered to a 4-13 finish last season.

Now, Watson’s future with not only the team but another franchise is murky at best.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Extension signed: July 2020

Drafted: 2017 (No. 10 overall pick)

The Kansas City Chiefs awarded signal caller Patrick Mahomes with a massive 10-year deal worth $450 million following the team’s Super Bowl run in 2019.

While the numbers may raise more than a few eyebrows, extending the QB was a forgone conclusion after the signal caller threw for 4,031 yards and 26 touchdowns to just five interceptions on 65.9% passing through 14 games played. He also chipped in 218 yards and two scores on 43 carries.

Since the signing:

Mahomes followed up his 2019 showing with an even better mark of 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2020.

He nearly hoisted the Lombardi Trophy for a second straight season but was thwarted by quarterback Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.

This past season, the Chiefs were once again a playoff contender, making it to the AFC Conference Championship where they fell to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mahomes completed 66.3% of his passes for 4,839 yards for 37 touchdowns and 13 picks, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the process.

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams

Signed extension: September 2019

Drafted: 2016 (No. 1 overall pick)

Following a 2018 that ended with a Super Bowl loss, the Los Angeles Rams awarded quarterback Jared Goff with a four-year deal worth $134 million.

Goff was coming off a 4,688-yard, 32-touchdown effort on 64.9% passing when he signed his extension.

Since the signing:

Goff spent two more seasons with the Rams, making the playoffs in 2020, before he was dealt to the Detroit Lions this past offseason, along with three picks, in exchange for signal caller Matthew Stafford.

In his first year with Detroit, Goff completed 67.2% of his throws for 3,245 yards and 19 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He went 3-10-1 for a lowly Lions squad.

The Rams, on the other hand, made the most of the trade, winning Super Bowl LVI behind the arm of Stafford.

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

Signed extension: June 2019

Drafted: 2016 (No. 2 overall pick)

He may not have finished off the team’s Super Bowl run in 2017 due to injury, but that didn’t stop the Philadelphia Eagles from extending QB Carson Wentz four years worth $128 million following a 2018 season that ended in an NFC Divisional round loss.

The one-time Pro Bowler completed 69.6% of his passes for 3,074 yards and 21 touchdowns to seven picks before inking his new deal with the team.

Since the signing:

Wentz spent two more seasons with the Eagles before being dealt to the Indianapolis Colts last offseason for a pair of draft picks.

In his lone season with the Colts last season (17 games), Wentz threw for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was 10th among NFL passers in touchdowns and 18th in passing yards, a far cry from his 33-touchdown effort in 2017.

The Colts narrowly missed out on the playoffs despite having the NFL rushing leader in Jonathan Taylor.

As for the Eagles, they squeaked into the playoffs as a Wild Card team, falling to the Buccaneers in the first round.

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