The Arizona Cardinals are preparing to part ways with quarterback Kyler Murray after a season marred by injuries and a coaching overhaul. As the offseason begins, the team is exploring several options to fill the quarterback position, reflecting uncertainty about Murray’s future in Arizona amid trade rumors.
Murray, the Cardinals’ starting quarterback since 2019, has delivered impressive statistics throughout his tenure, including 20,460 passing yards, 3,193 rushing yards, and 153 total touchdowns. Despite this productivity, his recent injury struggles and shifting relationships within the organization have raised doubts about his long-term role.
Front Office Discussions and Murray’s Status
Reports indicate a lack of communication between Murray and general manager Monti Ossenfort since the close of the 2025 season. However, Ossenfort has maintained that constructive conversations have taken place between them.
“Yeah, I’ve always had a good dialogue with Kyler,”
Ossenfort stated.
“And I’d say [last season] wasn’t up to what Kyler wanted. It wasn’t up to what any of us wanted as a season as a whole. And, so, when you have the kind of year that we had, there’s a lot of room for improvement, and so we got to find a way to do that, not only at that position, in all positions, but that’s what we’re all focused on, is getting better and moving forward.”
– Monti Ossenfort, Arizona Cardinals General Manager
Quarterback Candidates to Replace Murray
Should the Cardinals decide to trade or release Murray, they appear to be considering several quarterbacks as replacements. At the NFL Scouting Combine, names linked to the team include Tyson Bagent, Geno Smith, and Malik Willis, each presenting different financial and experience profiles.
Malik Willis is expected to be the most costly option, with projections estimating a $30 million salary in free agency. Conversely, Bagent and Smith are considered more budget-friendly alternatives, which may influence the Cardinals’ decision depending on their salary cap and team-building strategy.
Potential Destination for Kyler Murray
The Minnesota Vikings have emerged as a likely destination for Murray, who reportedly has interest in joining the team. The Vikings are currently in need of a seasoned quarterback, given that J.J. McCarthy, a young quarterback on their roster, has not yet met organizational expectations.
ESPN analyst Kevin Seifert commented on the Vikings’ quarterback situation:
“In the big picture, McCarthy is a talented player who just turned 23 and has a total of 10 NFL starts. Few NFL teams would give up on a quarterback with that profile, and many team builders are particularly enamored with optimizing a quarterback’s rookie contract. Adofo-Mensah was one of them, but his departure is a reminder of the range of outcomes that approach can lead to,”
Seifert said.
“If anything, these events increase the chances that the Vikings will take a big swing at finding a veteran quarterback who could start in 2026. The only thing more damaging than making the mistakes the Vikings made last season would be to repeat them this year.”
– Kevin Seifert, ESPN Analyst
Per Phil Mackey of SKOR North, Murray is reportedly interested in joining Minnesota. However, acquiring Murray likely requires a Day 2 draft pick in exchange, reflecting his value amid the trade discussions.
Implications and Next Steps for the Cardinals
The looming Kyler Murray trade represents a significant shift for the Cardinals’ franchise as they balance the need for stability at quarterback with rebuilding efforts under new coaches. The decision will impact the team’s offensive strategy and salary management moving forward. For the Vikings, bringing in an experienced quarterback like Murray could accelerate their progress after an underwhelming season.
As free agency approaches, the Cardinals’ quarterback situation remains fluid, and decisions made this offseason will shape both their and the Vikings’ prospects in the 2026 NFL season.
Leaving the NFL Combine, the three names we heard associated with the Arizona Cardinals QB search:
Malik Willis
Tyson Bagent
Geno Smith— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) February 27, 2026
