Jets may face the most unusual competition for Kyler Murray after release

It's easy to forget that New York Jets free agency target and former Arizona Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is one of the best athletes in recent memory, as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was also picked No. 9 in the 2018 MLB Draft by the then-Oakland Athletics.

Murray is going to be released by Arizona, which has teams like the Jets waiting to pounce on him as they try to land a new starting quarterback. On top of all the teams looking to sign him, the Jets are facing new competition from another sport.

Athletics GM David Forst said that he is still holding out hope for a return to baseball for Murray, as his team invested in him with the thought that he would be smacking doubles to the gap for years to come. As unlikely as it sounds, Forst isn't giving up hope just yet.

"Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback, and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Forst told MLB.com. "That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”

Jets QB target Kyler Murray targeted by Athletics for return to baseball

In his last season of baseball at Oklahoma, Murray hit .296 with 10 home runs, 47 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 51 games as an outfielder. Oakland thought that Murray's line drive swing and tremendous speed could make him a franchise cornerstone, and a signing bonus upwards of $4 million showed that belief.

Murray originally said he would report to Spring Training in 2019 after his final football season, but after winning a Heisman Trophy and getting picked No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, he forfeited that signing bonus and hung up his glove.

It would have to take a monumental contract to join a crummy A's team in a temporary home in Sacramento. If a team like the Jets signs Murray, his guaranteed money from the Cardinals makes it so that he can be acquired for a league-minimum contract.

We've seen football players make waves on the diamond before. Bo Jackson was a legend, Deion Sanders was a key player on a pennant-winning Braves team, and Brian Jordan notched a 14-year career with a .282 average, 1,454 hits, and an All-Star nod under his belt after leaving the Atlanta Falcons.

Murray, however, may have some more life in his football career.