It was only a few years ago that Kyler Murray was the undisputed king of the hobby. People were losing their minds over his stuff. If you walked into a card show in 2020 or 2021, the Kyler Murray rookie card was basically the "get rich quick" ticket everyone wanted. He had the Heisman, he was the number one pick, and he was doing things on the field that made him look like a glitch in a video game.
Fast forward to 2026. The vibe has changed.
Honestly, the market for Kyler has been a wild ride, and if you're looking at his cards today, you're seeing a very different price tag than the peak. We’re talking about a massive "correction." Some experts, like the guys over at Dappz Sports, have pointed out that his high-end stuff—specifically the National Treasures Rookie Patch Auto (RPA)—plunged from being a $10,000 "grail" to selling for closer to $1,000 or even less for raw copies.
Is he a bust? No. But the hype train definitely ran out of steam.
The Brutal Reality of the Kyler Murray Rookie Card Market
Let's get real for a second. Card prices are basically a stock market for athletes. When Kyler was lighting up the league early on, everyone assumed he’d have three Super Bowl rings by now. That hasn't happened. He's had injuries, a few rough seasons, and the "Call of Duty" memes didn't exactly help his "serious leader" image among salty collectors.
Because of that, his cards are currently in what I’d call the "Value Zone."
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If you're a believer in his talent—and the dude is still incredibly gifted—this is kind of a dream scenario. You can pick up cards that used to cost a mortgage payment for the price of a nice dinner. For example, a base 2019 Panini Prizm #301 in a PSA 10 used to be a few hundred bucks. Now? You can often find them hovering around $40 to $50.
Why the Price Dip Matters
- Injury History: The ACL tear was a huge blow to his market confidence. Collectors hate risk.
- The "New Toy" Syndrome: Since Kyler’s debut, we’ve seen Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson take over the spotlight.
- Team Performance: The Cardinals haven't been a consistent powerhouse. Winning drives prices. Simple as that.
Which Kyler Murray Rookie Card Should You Actually Own?
If you've got $50, you can play. If you've got $5,000, you can really play. But don't just buy random junk. There are thousands of different Murray cards out there, and most of them will never go up in value. You want the stuff that people will actually care about ten years from now.
The Heavy Hitters (The "Grails")
If you're looking for the absolute best of the best, you’re looking at Panini National Treasures. This is the card. Specifically the Rookie Patch Auto /99. It features a piece of a game-worn jersey and a hard-signed autograph. Even with the market dip, this is the one that serious whales want.
Then there’s the Panini Prizm Silver. In the modern hobby, "Silver" is the gold standard for non-auto cards. It’s shiny, it’s iconic, and it’s easy to grade.
The Mid-Tier (Best Bang for Your Buck)
I’m a huge fan of Donruss Optic. Specifically the Rated Rookie Holo. There’s just something about that "Rated Rookie" logo that feels classic. It’s a lot more affordable than Prizm but still holds a ton of respect.
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You also have Panini Select. Collectors love Select because of the "tiers." You’ve got Concourse, Premier Level, and Field Level. If you can find a Field Level Silver Prizm, you’re doing well. These are rarer than the standard Prizm cards and often look way better.
The Budget Plays
Maybe you just want a Kyler Murray rookie card for your desk. Look at Donruss base or Score. You can grab these for under $10 all day. They won't make you a millionaire, but they’re fun to have.
Grading: Is It Worth the Risk?
Should you send your Kyler cards to PSA or BGS?
In 2026, the answer is "only if it's a 10." The gap between a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 is massive. For a Kyler Murray rookie card, a PSA 9 might sell for $15, while a PSA 10 sells for $50. After you factor in the cost of grading and shipping, that PSA 9 is a losing trade.
Check the centering. Kyler’s 2019 Prizm cards are notorious for being shifted to one side. If the borders look uneven, don't bother grading it. Just keep it in a top-loader and enjoy it.
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The Surprising Stats That Could Save His Market
Kyler is still putting up numbers. Through the start of the 2025 season, he’s already crossed over 20,000 passing yards and has a career passer rating in the 90s. More importantly, his rushing ability is historic. He and Cam Newton are some of the only guys to put up 100+ yards passing and rushing in the same game multiple times.
If the Cardinals make a deep playoff run, the people who "bought the dip" on his cards are going to look like geniuses.
Final Actionable Insights for Collectors
Don't buy the hype, buy the talent. Kyler Murray is a polarising figure in the NFL, but his ceiling is still incredibly high. If you're looking to add a Kyler Murray rookie card to your collection, here is the smart way to do it:
- Focus on "Liquid" Cards: Stick to Prizm, Optic, and Select. These are easy to sell if you ever need the cash.
- Look for Color Match: Collectors love cards that match the team colors. A "Red" Prizm Kyler Murray looks incredible because it matches the Cardinals' jersey. These usually command a premium.
- Check the "True" RPA: If you’re going high-end, make sure the autograph is on the card (on-card), not on a clear sticker. Sticker autos are generally less desirable.
- Avoid College Uniforms: Unless it’s a super rare 1-of-1, cards of him in his Oklahoma jersey (like Panini Contenders Draft Picks) usually sell for way less than his NFL jersey cards.
- Monitor the Offseason: Prices usually dip in the summer when there's no football. That's the best time to strike.
The Kyler Murray market isn't dead—it's just matured. The days of blind speculation are over, which actually makes it a much safer time for real collectors to step in.
Quick Value Reference (Estimated 2026 Prices)
- 2019 Panini Prizm Base (PSA 10): $40 - $60
- 2019 Donruss Optic Holo (PSA 10): $75 - $110
- 2019 National Treasures RPA /99 (Raw): $800 - $1,200
- 2019 Panini Select Field Level Silver (PSA 10): $150 - $220
Keep an eye on the injury reports and the offensive line improvements in Arizona. Those two factors will dictate your investment's future more than anything else.
Next Steps for You:
Start by checking recent "Sold" listings on eBay rather than "Active" listings. This gives you the real market price, not what someone hopes to get. Focus on finding a well-centered 2019 Optic Rated Rookie Holo as your first target; it's the perfect balance of visual appeal and long-term stability for a Kyler Murray rookie card collection.