The Arizona Cardinals are moving closer to finalizing a successor to Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback, with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo emerging as a leading candidate. After a challenging season marred by injuries and inconsistent performance, Murray’s future with the team is uncertain, prompting the Cardinals to explore options before the June 1 deadline to save salary cap space.
Murray’s difficulties during the past year, including a foot injury that sidelined him for multiple games, have made his position precarious. The Cardinals face significant dead cap repercussions if they release him outright, making a trade the preferred option to minimize financial loss. Jimmy Garoppolo’s familiarity with new head coach Mike LaFleur and his experience could make him a fitting replacement in the upcoming NFL season.
Assessing Kyler Murray’s Impact and Recent Challenges
Kyler Murray, who is 28 years old, appeared in just five games during the 2025 season, finishing with a 2-3 record. He completed 110 passes with a completion rate of 68.3%, totaling 962 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. On the ground, Murray contributed 173 rushing yards and scored one rushing touchdown. Unfortunately, a foot injury sustained in Week 5 against Tennessee caused him to miss the remainder of the season after being placed on injured reserve.
With Murray sidelined, the Cardinals turned to veteran Jacoby Brissett, acquired from New England, to lead the offense for the remainder of the year. Despite these efforts, Arizona finished last in the competitive NFC West division and failed to reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. This disappointing finish coincided with coaching changes, as Jonathan Gannon was replaced by Mike LaFleur as head coach, setting a new direction for the team and opening the door for personnel shifts including the quarterback position.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s Potential Fit with the Cardinals’ New Direction
Jimmy Garoppolo, 34, spent the previous two seasons backing up Matthew Stafford on the Los Angeles Rams, who won the NFL MVP award recently. Notably, Garoppolo’s offensive coordinator in Los Angeles was Mike LaFleur, who is now at the helm in Arizona. Their established working relationship from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers, where LaFleur served as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach and Garoppolo started 32 games including a Super Bowl appearance, strengthens the case for this potential pairing.
Additionally, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort was involved in scouting Garoppolo when he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2014. Garoppolo spent his early NFL career as Tom Brady’s backup before moving to San Francisco in 2017, where he gained more starting experience. Garoppolo earned approximately $3.1 million last season as a backup with the Rams. If the Rams do not re-sign him before the March 11 deadline, he’ll be available for other teams, including the Cardinals.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, Garoppolo represents a more cost-effective alternative who could either serve as a bridge quarterback or develop into a long-term solution. However, his injury history, especially involving his feet and back, is a concern. To mitigate risk, the Cardinals might require Garoppolo to pass a specialized fitness evaluation similar to what the Raiders did in the past before finalizing a contract.
Despite never fully realizing the high expectations that accompanied his 49ers tenure, Garoppolo’s experience and familiarity with LaFleur’s system could improve his prospects in Arizona, especially with the fresh coaching staff’s support.
“Translating what coaches and GMs had to say at the NFL Combine https://t.co/hI0jEjnCh3 via @BostonGlobe” ?Ben Volin, Boston Globe reporter
What This Could Mean for Arizona’s Quarterback Situation
The Cardinals’ pursuit of Jimmy Garoppolo reflects their urgent need to stabilize the quarterback position following Kyler Murray’s injury setbacks and declining performance. Trading Murray before the June 1 deadline would significantly reduce the team’s salary cap penalties, allowing the franchise greater financial flexibility to restructure the roster.
Garoppolo’s signing would introduce a veteran presence with NFL playoff experience, paired with a coaching staff that already knows and trusts him. This move could provide immediate leadership on the field, while also giving the Cardinals time to evaluate other long-term quarterback options in a competitive NFC West environment.
As the Cardinals prepare for the offseason, their decisions regarding Murray and Garoppolo will shape the team’s trajectory and influence their ability to return to playoff contention after several disappointing seasons.
Translating what coaches and GMs had to say at the NFL Combine https://t.co/hI0jEjnCh3 via @BostonGlobe
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) February 28, 2026
