The Arizona Cardinals are preparing to part ways with quarterback Kyler Murray before the 2026 season, while planning to retain Jacoby Brissett. According to Jason La Canfora, the team is actively exploring options to trade Murray, signaling a significant shift in their quarterback plans.
League executives confirm that Murray will be available for trade, but note that the Cardinals will have to absorb a substantial financial burden to make a deal happen.
Trade Market Perspectives on Murray’s Availability and Value
One general manager involved in the quarterback market told La Canfora that “He’s still gone,” despite speculation arising from the hiring of offensive-minded head coach Mike LaFleur. “We aren’t interested,” the GM added,
“I can promise you that, but they still really want to move him. The coaching hire doesn’t change anything… I think they will be able to move him, but it’s going to cost them.”
Murray carries $50 million in fully guaranteed money for the 2026 season, which league insiders believe makes his departure inevitable. The likely compensation for Murray in a trade would be conditional draft picks tied to his performance in 2026, according to the GM.
“A lot of the draft-pick compensation will end up being tied to how he plays in 2026. But I think he is what he is at this point in his career. Getting a fresh start might help, but there’s a lot of baggage that comes with him,”
the GM explained.
Financial Considerations and Roster Impact Surrounding Murray
Coach Mike LaFleur recently commented that there is no set timeline for making a decision on Murray, stating the process will unfold alongside other roster moves. Murray is set to trigger a $19.5 million guarantee on his 2027 contract if he remains on the roster past March 15 of this year, adding urgency to the Cardinals’ decision-making process.
Background on Kyler Murray’s NFL and Athletic Career
Murray, now 28 years old, was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cardinals after choosing football over a professional baseball career, having been a first-round draft pick by the Oakland A’s in 2018. His NFL contract history includes a four-year deal worth approximately $35.2 million with a substantial signing bonus, followed by the Cardinals exercising his fifth-year option for nearly $30 million in 2023.
In 2022, Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with $160 million guaranteed, reflecting high expectations that have since been tempered. During the 2025 season, he appeared in five games, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He also contributed 173 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Jacoby Brissett’s Role and Performance with the Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett, age 33, entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick in 2016 by the New England Patriots before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. Brissett’s career includes multiple contracts with various teams: a two-year, $30 million agreement with the Colts in 2019 that included $20 million guaranteed, a stint with the Dolphins, a contract with the Browns in 2022, a 2023 signing with the Commanders, and a one-year deal with the Patriots in 2024.
The Cardinals acquired Brissett in March 2024 on a two-year contract. Over 14 games in the 2025 season, he started 12 times, completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Brissett also contributed on the ground with 38 carries for 168 yards and a rushing touchdown, solidifying his role as the team’s quarterback moving forward.
Looking Ahead for the Cardinals’ Quarterback Situation
As the Cardinals prepare for the months ahead, the focus remains on orchestrating a trade for Kyler Murray while solidifying Jacoby Brissett’s position as their starting quarterback. The financial complexities involved in moving Murray suggest the process may be prolonged, but the organization appears committed to making a definitive change before the 2026 season.
Updates on the Cardinals’ plans will likely continue to unfold as the NFL offseason advances, with implications for both the team’s roster composition and its competitive outlook.
