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Finally, we’ll get the full, complete details of the contract the Cardinals gave quarterback Kyler Murray on Thursday. Even without the total breakdown, enough has emerged to say this without equivocation or hesitation.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson got a much better deal than Murray.
Per SI.com’s Albert Breer , Murray will be paid $265.69 million over the next seven years. Although his five-year extension is worth $100,000 more annually than Watson’s average five-year deal, Watson’s contract starts now. It wasn’t an extension; it was a new five-year contract.
So while Murray averages $46.1 million in new money, he will earn $37.95 million per year over the next seven. And he’s under contract for seven years, not five. This delays their deadline to get another new contract.
Additionally, the entire $230 million paid to Watson is fully guaranteed at signing. Per Breer, Murray’s total guarantee at signing is just $105 million.
In fairness to Murray, Watson was more influential. He had four teams on the table, and when he said “no thanks” to the Browns, the Browns realized they had to up the ante to avoid having to mend fences with Baker Mayfield. So the Browns went all out, offering a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal.
Murray had nothing like it. He was under contract for two more years, with the franchise ball following. The Cardinals had shown no desire to trade him. While there may have been a Watson-style competition for Murray had he been available in trade, he wasn’t. Arizona held the cards. Murray got the best deal he could, given his circumstances.
Still, Watson’s deal is much better. Mainly because he managed to land in much better conditions. Even with all those allegations of misconduct made against him.