NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 08:
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray poses for photos after winning the 84th Heisman Trophy on December 8, 2018 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
The Oakland Athletics are hoping Kyler Murray chooses baseball over football, but they shouldn’t try to pressure him if they want him to play for them.
Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray has a tough decision to make over the next few weeks. Despite already signing a contract with the Oakland Athletics to play baseball, the allure of playing quarterback in the NFL is becoming more and more tempting for the 21-year-old.
Not surprisingly, the A’s are making a push to secure their investment after spending the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Sunday that a group of top A’s executives are meeting with Murray to try and convince him to stick with his original choice.
If the A’s truly want Murray to choose baseball instead of football, it may be wise to take a step back and allow the Heisman Trophy winner to at least go through the NFL draft process.
It may seem counterintuitive, but it may be the best route for the A’s. We obviously have no idea what kind of personality Murray has, but there is something to be said for a 21-year-old kid wanting to do something the more someone tells them not to do it. Being too pushy with Murray could drive him farther away.
Allowing Murray to listen to what NFL teams are saying about him could be a wake-up call as well. As talented as Murray is, there are definitely some concerns scouts have vocalized already that could have his draft stock be significantly lower than he’s expecting.
Many will point to Murray’s small stature at just 5’10” and 195 pounds and his ability to withstand the punishment of a young NFL quarterback. In the long term, Murray could see that the healthier and more lucrative option could be baseball.
At the end of the day, this is Murray’s decision and not anyone else’s, especially not anyone on social media or in the comments. The A’s will understandably want to convince Murray to choose them, but if they really want the 21-year-old to play baseball, then they should take a more hands-off approach.