PFF’s Spielberger projects Kyler Murray will sign $280 million contract

Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim reiterated that quarterback Kyler Murray is part of the team’s future and he expects a deal to get done during the summer on the Pat McAfee Show this week.

Summer is approaching with training camp just a couple months away.

The Cardinals exercised Murray’s $29.7 million fifth-year option for 2023, extending their window to negotiate a new deal, although, summer has been a public target to get a deal done since owner Michael Bidwill made it so on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station in February.

Pro Football Focus salary cap analyst Brad Spielberger went over possible contract extension numbers for the 2019 NFL draft class this week.

He projected that Murray would agree to a six-year contract worth $280 million with $155 million total guaranteed. That comes out to up to $46.67 million per year on average.

To compare, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year extension worth up to $450 million with $141,481,905 guaranteed.

The Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a five-year contract worth $230 million, all of which is guaranteed.

Murray’s projected deal is influenced by Watson’s in its shorter timeframe with more guaranteed money.

Murray has earned the highest PFF grade on throws of 20-plus yards in the NFL over the last two seasons with a 98.8 mark, and the (Hollywood) Brown addition will go a long way in continuing that trend. All signs point to a deal eventually getting done, even as Murray drives a hard bargain at the negotiating table while looking for a deal that reflects the new quarterback market, where Aaron Rodgers is now the top earner at just over $50 million per year.

Despite the public contract negotiations spurred by Murray’s agent this offseason, the quarterback has publicly expressed an interest in being a Cardinal long term, tweeting that Arizona in home last month.

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