New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is in the process of finalizing his coaching staff. He and the rest of the team’s decision-makers also have to arrive at a decision shortly on Arizona’s approach at the quarterback spot. 
Kyler Murray is already guaranteed $36.8MM in compensation for the coming season. He is scheduled to see $19.5MM vest in the form of his 2027 base salary on the fifth day of the new league year, a point which is fast approaching. Clarity on Murray’s status will no doubt emerge before then, but for now the Cardinals are still weighing their options.
“Just like everything else on the roster, open conversations in this building,” LaFleur said when speaking to the media about Murray’s situation (via team reporter Darren Urban). “No timeframe on that.”
Keeping Murray in the fold for 2026 has been mentioned as a possibility, but a parting of ways would not come as a surprise to many. Arizona is expected to pursue a trade of the former No. 1 pick. Of course, the list of suitors willing to take on the remainder of his contract could prove to be rather short. The Cardinals could then decide to cut Murray and allow him to find his next team via free agency.
The most recent reporting on the matter pointed to a release being the likeliest outcome. Cutting Murray with a post-June 1 designation would create over $5MM in cap space but still leave the Cardinals with a massive dead money charge to be split between the next two seasons. With most of his 2026 earnings already accounted for, Murray would represent an attractive option for suitors on the open market. The 28-year-old could be added on a low-cost deal while looking to rebuild his stock in a new setting.
With free agency lacking in clear-cut QB1 candidates and this year’s draft class not held in high regard, Murray could generate a notable market in the event his seven-year Cardinals career were to come to an end shortly. Jacoby Brissett is on the books for next season, but Arizona would be required to add at least one passer this offseason if a Murray departure were to take place. As free agency draws nearer, the Cardinals will remain a team to watch closely.
Under the circumstances, with the contract structured as it is, the most logical thing to me is for them to sit down with Murray and all agree for him to come back and be the QB1.
New coach, new offense, Murray should see this as a reset and embrace it as an opportunity to get his career back on track.
Nothing he has shown both as a player and person indicate he would embrace that. Where is this young man getting his counsel from?
I can’t imagine a single team being interested in acquiring him. Only other option in my mind is releasing him outright. If you are going to pay for him either way you might as well see if one last chance under a new coach makes a difference. If you get the same old thing, you can release him at any point in the season.
This makes too much sense though
The 2027 guarantees make this impossible. They have to release him or are forced to pay over $19m next year.
Cut your losses and reset, that’s the only thing AZ can do right now.
Same as the Browns who are stuck with DeShaun Watson…just hang on to him for another year because your not getting anyone to trade for that contract. Identify a FA and see if a QB in the draft fits your system…Murray can ride the bench for a year….
His arm is shot. He’s an even more obvious release candidate than Tua.