A recent report suggested the Cardinals are likely to move on from quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes, however, Arizona could retain Murray for at least one more year.
Now 29, Murray has not been able to recapture the form that led to consecutive original-ballot Pro Bowls in 2020 and 2021. That early success convinced the Cards to authorize a five-year, $230.5MM contract for the first overall pick of the 2019 draft, but the Murray/Kliff Kingsbury partnership veered off course soon after.
Murray did not play particularly well in 2022, and an ACL tear suffered in December of that year forced him to miss the last few games of the campaign as well as the first half of the 2023 slate. By that point, Kingsbury had been replaced by Jonathan Gannon (with Drew Petzing coming aboard as offensive coordinator), but Murray’s performance was no better than it had been the year prior.
The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner had something of a resurgence in 2024. He ranked ninth in the league in QBR, and the Cardinals finished with an 8-9 record that suggested a playoff berth could be within reach in 2025. That did not materialize, and Murray’s season came to a premature end due to a Week 5 foot injury.
His recent medical history and middling results over the past four seasons have put his future with the Cardinals in doubt. Although multiple NFL executives have opined that Murray is far better than any other player projected to be available in the free agent and trade markets this offseason, his contract situation – he is due $36.8MM in guarantees in 2026 – means Arizona likely would have to eat a considerable amount of salary to facilitate a trade (even then, it is unclear how much of a market would form).
Even a post-June 1 release would come with a dead money charge of nearly $50MM, and several sources have told Fowler that Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill may not want to pay both Murray and Gannon – who was fired on Black Monday – a great deal of money to work elsewhere next season. If Gannon lands a new defensive coordinator or head coach job to offset what he is still due from Arizona, that could change Bidwill’s thinking.
Still, whomever the Cardinals tap as their next head coach may need to be comfortable with the possibility that Murray will be on the roster next year. If that person is as bullish on Murray as some of the above-referenced executives, the signal-caller’s presence could even be a selling point. After all, the 2026 class of collegiate quarterbacks was dealt a major blow when Oregon’s Dante Moore announced he will not be turning pro this year, and with the Raiders seemingly likely to nab Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 choice, the Cardinals (No. 3 overall) may not be in position to upgrade the position via the draft.
The club also has Jacoby Brissett under contract at a palatable $4.88MM salary in 2026. The well-traveled signal-caller actually ran the offense more effectively than Murray in ‘25, and despite his 1-11 record, his surface-level stats (94.1 QB rating, 23 TDs, eight interceptions) are appealing. He was also mentioned as a possible trade candidate, though he could also remain as a bridge option for the Cardinals if they move on from Murray.
Naturally, the 33-year-old would like to remain a QB1. When asked if he wanted another shot as a starter, Brissett replied with a simple “hell yeah” (via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss).
Yes keep him.
Signed, the rest of the league.
That cap hit is just too big, it would be better to just waste a roster spot & save roughly $50 million. This situation is why this will be one of the last coaching jobs to get filled: uncertainty at quarterback, a lead running back coming off an injury, and a wide receiver picked in the top 10 that hasn’t clicked yet. Any coach taking this job is in danger of getting fired after year one. You’re better off just keeping your current job.
Why- aaron rodgers would be better
Aaron is a free agent now. They could sign him if wanted. The story is about Kyler staying on roster due to salary and cap. They would have to eat a ton probably un trading him.
True, in a vacuum, Rodgers is undoubtedly better, but on that team, with a brand new offense and no real offensive stars outside of McBride and an unproven line, it’s hard to see an older immobile Rodgers as a viable solution. Rodgers needs a team where he doesn’t have to shoulder more of the burden if he continues playing.
And why would they do that?
His throwing arm is shot…. no use…. done for…. A “Capece kind of kaput”… Thank you , John McKay!!!!
Maybe Murray could switch to a running back … wildcat kind of guy, but his days as QB should be Kaput!
Yes, but are the Cards picking a QB this year? It’s doubtful that a team trades for Murray at that salary, and unless Arizona picks a QB, they’ll be starting someone who is likely to be a lame duck under a new coach, anyway. I can see how this formerly unlikely scenario is now the most likely scenario.
The Big Red have found a star TE in Trey McBride. Their biggest needs are defense and a healthy ground game.
The Cardinals have no better options. And they will pay Kyler to play or go away. Might as well pay him to play.
The $20m guarantee for 2027 is a good reason to cut him (before it vests).
Por Que?
Cards might do well to use their draft slot to move back a bit, in rounds 1 & 2, and improve linemen (O & D), maybe another receiver or better DBs.
Use Jacoby as #1 with Murray as #2, yet improve the basics of the team with picks and free agents. Get better with the foundation to provide an improved team for a 2027 QB choice as there seems to be better options.
I would send him on his way. Maybe it was strictly a coaches decision to not play him but he should have recovered from that injury and demanded to play, but he didnt. He had plenty of time to play video games. This owner may give him another chance but can they find the right HC for him?
I don’t know too many people who come back from a lisfranc in season. It was just a bit of gamesmanship lying to the media like he was going to play again this year.
Translation: nobody wants him.
Bring in competition and keep Brissett maybe
When Jacoby was under center that offense ran much more smoothly
Too much money tied up to him and the team is a mess as is constructed. The draft won’t offer anything better to turn this team around to respectable, so kinda stuck with what they got at QB.
Might as well do a Tua for Kyler trade. Both their coaches were fired and both could use a change of scenery.
I mean who else are they gonna get?
Murray has no trade value, not with his salary. I could see Murray to be released by March 5th. Why keep and play Murray knowing that the Cardinals management are not right now a heaven for Head Coaches, it almost could be said it is a franchise where Head Coaches go to fail. The average length of a HC in AZ is only 3 to 4 years and that is since the days of the Chicago Cardinals. Murray is just going to bring the same results no matter who coaches the Cards, he is a mini-me can’t see over the OL, has to run all the time, can’t read a defense very well.