The Arizona Cardinals are officially hitting the reset button, and the centerpiece of that rebuild is none other than quarterback Kyler Murray. After a midseason benching in 2025, the former No. 1 overall pick is now on the trade block, signaling a seismic shift in the franchise’s direction. Under new head coach Mike LaFleur-an offensive mind with deep NFL roots-Arizona is looking to carve out a new identity, and it starts with moving on from its most polarizing player.
According to league sources, the Cardinals are setting the bar at a third-round pick as the starting point in trade talks for Murray. That price tag might raise some eyebrows, especially when you consider the deal that sent Geno Smith from Seattle to Las Vegas last March.
Smith was coming off a more consistent campaign than Murray’s injury-limited 2025 season, but the upside with Murray is still tantalizing. This is a quarterback who’s flashed elite talent, made two Pro Bowls, and racked up over 20,000 passing yards in his career-all while being a legitimate dual-threat weapon.
But as is often the case in the NFL, talent isn’t the only factor in play. Murray’s contract is a major sticking point. It’s hefty, and for any team considering a deal, it’s not just about what he brings on the field-it’s about what he costs against the cap.
That’s where the Cardinals’ motivation becomes crystal clear. Financially, they have every reason to pursue a trade rather than cut bait.
Releasing Murray before June 1 would saddle the team with a jaw-dropping $54.7 million in dead cap. Designating him as a post-June 1 cut would soften the blow by spreading the hit over two years, but it’s still far from ideal.
A trade, on the other hand, gives Arizona real flexibility. If they can find a partner, they’d save $34.7 million in cap space while absorbing just $17.9 million in dead money. That’s a much cleaner path forward, especially for a team trying to retool quickly and compete in the rugged NFC West.
This looming decision on Murray marks the first major test for Mike LaFleur, who steps into the head coaching role after three years as the offensive coordinator for the Rams. LaFleur, the 45th head coach in Cardinals history, brings a wealth of experience from previous stops in San Francisco and New York. Known for his creative schemes and ability to develop quarterbacks, he now faces the challenge of helping reshape a roster that’s in flux.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one in the desert. With a new coach, a potentially massive trade on the horizon, and a front office focused on cap management and long-term vision, the Cardinals are clearly signaling a new era. Whether or not they can find the right partner for Murray-and what they get in return-will go a long way in defining how quickly that rebuild takes shape.