By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Oakland Athletics have not given up hope on 2018 first-round draft pick Kyler Murray. He announced on Monday that he was going to pursue a career in football.
When Murray released his statement on Monday afternoon, he said he was “firmly and fully committing my life to becoming an NFL quarterback.” Rosenthal insists that his decision caught the Athletics off-guard.
He also wrote that the Athletics were willing to allow Murray to “participate in both the combine and draft and gather as much information as possible before making his decision.” While they remain hopeful that Murray changes his mind, he is expected to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
If he goes in the first-round of the NFL Draft, he’ll be the first player ever to go in the first-round of the MLB and NFL Draft. The Athletics are hoping that he can change his mind after the combine or the draft.
His stock — could — stumble, which would open up an opportunity for him to change his mind.
The Athletics — who already offered him nearly $5 million when he signed last year — can offer Murray more money. Yet, he would have to work his way up through the minor leagues first.
If he stayed with the NFL, teams would be limited in what they can offer him as there is a financial structure. It will depend on where he is drafted on how much he can make initially.
