The Arizona Cardinals are expected to part ways with Kyler Murray following the 2025 season, signaling a fresh start at quarterback likely under new leadership. Murray, who has been the team’s starting quarterback for seven years, has experienced a deteriorating 2025 campaign that has pushed the Cardinals toward a significant roster change.
Murray’s Injury-Shortened 2025 Season and Career Performance
In 2025, the two-time Pro Bowler played only five games before a foot injury in Week 5 landed him on injured reserve. Over those appearances, Murray threw for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. By December, Arizona concluded that he would remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season. His inability to stay healthy added to a career marked by uneven results, including a 38-48-1 record and just one season finishing above .500. Murray’s single playoff appearance ended in a one-sided loss, emphasizing the struggles that have accompanied his tenure since being selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Coaching Changes Signal a Shift in Team Direction
After finishing the 2024 campaign with a disappointing 3-14 record, the Cardinals relieved head coach Jonathan Gannon of his duties. Arizona then brought in Mike LaFleur, formerly the Rams’ offensive coordinator, as the new head coach. LaFleur will be the third head coach to work with Murray in the NFL. However, reports from NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo suggest that Murray’s time with the Cardinals is unlikely to extend far into LaFleur’s regime.
Financial Considerations Affecting Murray’s Future With the Cardinals
Kyler Murray’s 2026 salary cap number stands at $52.7 million, with a guaranteed amount of $36.8 million irrespective of his status with the team. The Cardinals face a crucial deadline in early March; if Murray remains on their roster past the first week of the new league year, his guaranteed earnings rise by an additional $20 million. Arizona must weigh these financial obligations carefully, as cutting Murray outright would result in $54.7 million in dead money against the cap. Designating a post-June 1 cut would lower dead money to $47.5 million, while trading him could reduce the financial hit even more, to either $17.9 million or $10.7 million depending on timing.
Potential Outcomes and Comparisons for Murray’s Next Step
The most favorable scenario for Murray involves becoming a free agent, allowing him to select his next team. This path mirrors what happened with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who left the Denver Broncos before signing a low-cost contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Such a move could present Murray with the opportunity to reset his career at a lower financial commitment while benefiting from his previous high earnings with Arizona.
Options at Quarterback as the Cardinals Look Beyond Murray
During the latter part of the 2025 season, Jacoby Brissett took over as quarterback, putting up solid individual statistics with 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Despite these numbers, the team’s record under his play was 1-11. While Brissett remains under contract for 2026, he is entering his 34th year and has yet to establish himself as a long-term franchise solution across six different NFL teams. Additionally, the Cardinals have Kedon Slovis on their roster. Holding the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft and with over $42 million in cap space, Arizona has multiple approaches to securing a new starting quarterback to launch the LaFleur era.
Implications for Arizona’s Roster and Leadership Moving Forward
The likely decision to move on from Kyler Murray marks a pivotal moment for the Cardinals as they seek to rebuild after multiple disappointing seasons. The organization’s available draft capital and cap flexibility position them to target a franchise quarterback prospect or explore alternative options. With Mike LaFleur at the helm, there is an emphasis on resetting the team’s direction and finding sustained success after years of inconsistent quarterback play.
