The Arizona Cardinals are staring down one of the most pivotal offseasons in franchise history - not just a reset, but a full-scale recalibration. After a 2025 campaign that unraveled spectacularly, the team enters 2026 with premium draft capital, a flexible (but complicated) cap situation, and some massive decisions looming - none bigger than what to do with quarterback Kyler Murray.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Cardinals were in freefall last season. After a 2-0 start that briefly sparked optimism, the wheels came off.
Arizona dropped 14 of its final 15 games, finishing with a franchise-worst 3-14 record. The season was derailed by injuries, most notably to Murray, who went down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 5.
That loss alone would’ve been hard to overcome, but it was compounded by extended absences from key offensive pieces like James Conner and rookie Trey Benson. By October, the season had already slipped through Arizona’s fingers.
Still, not everything was lost in the rubble. Tight end Trey McBride broke out in a big way, establishing himself as one of the most dynamic weapons at his position in the entire league.
On the other side of the ball, Budda Baker continued to lead with his trademark intensity, even as the defense around him struggled to hold the line. Unfortunately, those flashes of brilliance couldn’t mask the broader issues.
Arizona’s defense gave up nearly 29 points per game - a bottom-tier mark that told the story of a unit that simply couldn’t get stops when it mattered.
The result? A coaching change.
Jonathan Gannon is out. In steps Mike LaFleur, who inherits a roster full of holes, a quarterback conundrum, and a front office that needs to get this rebuild right - fast.
Financially, the Cardinals have room to maneuver, but it’s complicated. They’re projected to have about $38.4 million in cap space - solid, but not elite.
The real story is Kyler Murray’s contract. His cap hit in 2026 is a staggering $52.7 million.
And if he’s still on the roster after March 15, his 2027 salary becomes fully guaranteed. That’s a massive commitment for a player coming off another injury-shortened season.
Trading him before June 1 would free up nearly $35 million - money that could instantly reposition Arizona as one of the league’s most aggressive players in free agency.
So, what’s the play? That’s the defining question of the offseason.
If the Cardinals move on from Murray, they’re not just clearing cap space - they’re resetting the entire timeline. They hold the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, which puts them in prime position to select a new franchise quarterback. Pairing a rookie QB with Marvin Harrison Jr. - last year’s top pick and already a budding superstar - would give Arizona a cost-controlled, high-upside offensive nucleus to build around.
One possible trade partner? The New York Jets.
A deal sending Murray to New York would give the Jets a proven dual-threat starter and give the Cardinals a clean slate. It’s bold, but it might be exactly what Arizona needs.
And Murray’s not the only name to watch. Budda Baker has been the soul of this defense for years, but he’s 30 and entering the final year of his deal.
If Arizona is serious about a youth movement, Baker could be moved for draft capital and young talent. A potential deal with the Eagles - involving a player like cornerback Kelee Ringo - would be painful emotionally, but logical from a roster-building standpoint.
For Philadelphia, Baker’s leadership and physicality would be a perfect fit in a championship-caliber secondary. For Arizona, it’s another step toward long-term sustainability.
Then there’s the draft. Holding the No. 3 pick gives Arizona leverage - and options.
If they’re not sold on the quarterback class or prefer to bring in a veteran bridge option, they could trade down. A deal with the Raiders, who sit at No. 7, could net them additional picks and a starting-caliber offensive tackle like Kolton Miller.
That would shore up the left side of an offensive line that was plagued by injuries and inconsistency, especially with Paris Johnson Jr. struggling to stay on the field.
Trading down would still leave Arizona in position to grab a premier defensive player - and they need one. The Cardinals finished near the bottom of the league in pressure rate last season.
Without a pass rush, the secondary was constantly exposed. Fixing the trenches on both sides of the ball is priority No. 1, regardless of who’s under center.
So what does it all mean?
Arizona isn’t just trying to improve. They’re trying to redefine who they are.
Trading Murray would reshape the offense. Moving Baker would reshape the defense.
Leveraging the No. 3 pick could reshape the entire roster. The Cardinals have the draft capital, cap flexibility, and motivation to be one of the most active teams in the league this offseason.
The only question now is whether they’re ready to make the bold moves that true rebuilds require. Because this isn’t about patching holes anymore - it’s about tearing it down and building something better.