Are the A's open to Kyler Murray returning?

Athletics leave a door ajar on a headline possibility

After the Arizona Cardinals signaled plans to release Kyler Murray when the new league year opens, the Oakland A’s — a club with historical ties to Murray as a former top pick — publicly left the option of a return to baseball on the table. Athletics general manager David Forst said the organization has told Murray that switching back to baseball remains possible, an openness the club reiterated in follow-up comments.

What that posture means now

• The A’s are not committing to a signing, but they have communicated to Murray that the franchise would be receptive to talks about a baseball comeback. That creates an avenue for the quarterback to explore options beyond the NFL’s free-agent market.
• The organization’s stance is notable because it keeps alive a high-profile, cross-sport storyline: a recent NFL starter with pro-level experience in another sport is a rare and complicated candidate to shift leagues.

Outstanding questions

• It remains unclear whether Murray plans to pursue a return to baseball or how quickly that could happen. No timeline, medical plan or roster details have been announced.
• Any switch would involve hurdles: evaluating baseball readiness after time away, roster fits during spring training, and contractual logistics between leagues and teams.

Why it matters

If it progresses, the situation would have broad implications for how franchises evaluate multi-sport athletes and manage high-profile transitions. For the A’s, keeping a relationship open is a low-cost way to retain a unique option; for Murray, the move preserves the chance to weigh his long-term career path in two professional sports.