Eventually, we’ll get the full and complete details of the contract the Cardinals gave quarterback Kyler Murray on Thursday. Even without the full analysis, enough has emerged to say this without doubt or hesitation. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson got a much better deal than Murray. Via SI.com’s Albert Breer , Murray will receive $265.69 million over the next seven years. Although his five-year extension has an annual value of $100,000 more 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’ll make $37.95 million per year over the next seven. And he’s under contract for seven years, not five. This delays his timetable for getting another new contract. Also, the $230 million paid to Watson is fully guaranteed at signing. Per Breer, Murray’s full guarantee at signing is only $105 million. In fairness to Murray, Watson had more leverage. He had four teams at the table, and when he said “no thanks” to the Browns, the Browns knew they had to up the ante to avoid mending fences with Baker Mayfield. So the Browns went all in, offering a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal. Murray had none of that. He was under contract for two more years, with the franchise-tag dance afterward. The Cardinals had shown no interest in trading him. While there might have been a Watson-type competition for Murray if he was available for trade, he wasn’t. Arizona held the cards. Murray got the best deal he could, given his circumstances. However, Watson’s deal is much better. Mainly because he managed to land in much better conditions. Even with all those allegations of misconduct against him.
