INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said he has not yet engaged in contract discussions with Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray, but he’s certainly aware of his request.
Murray’s agent, Erik Burkhardt of Select Sports Group, released a statement through multiple national NFL reporters on Monday morning in which he stated the hopes of being the Cardinals’ “long term quarterback,” this ahead of his fourth season in the league.
“I think it’s an agent doing his job,” Keim said of Burkhardt’s statement. “I have a lot of respect for Erik Burkhardt and obviously Kyler Murray.
“What did I think when I saw it? I thought it was an agent doing his job.”
Keim said the Cardinals intend to pick up the fifth-year option on Murray’s rookie deal, which would keep him under contract through 2023. Keim indicated he does not believe Murray would hold out this season if no contract extension is reached.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray completed 69.2% of his passes last season for 3,787 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 423 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The 24-year-old Murray is the first player in NFL history with 70 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons. The Cardinals finished 11-6 last season and reached the postseason, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams in the NFC’s wild-card round.
Keim said he does not see Murray’s contract situation as a concern as he approaches free agency. As they potentially approach a new deal this offseason, Keim believes his relationship with Murray and Burkhardt as an asset.
“Everybody has different styles,” Keim said. “As long as I’ve been doing this, it’s one of those things where you have to understand that people have a different ways of approaching things and I respect that. You can’t get caught up in taking things personal. It is a business. You have to be able to separate the personal and the business side of it."
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