Could the Cardinals Be Preparing to Move On from Kyler Murray? All Signs Point to Yes - and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza Might Be the Future
The Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 season has been a rough ride, and that might be putting it lightly. Sitting at 3-10 heading into Week 15 and stuck at the bottom of the NFC West, the optimism that surrounded the team during the offseason has all but evaporated. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of identity have defined the year - and the questions about the future are only getting louder.
One of the biggest question marks? The quarterback position.
Kyler Murray has only suited up for five games this season, and now we know he won’t be returning in 2025. That’s a major development for a franchise that once viewed him as the centerpiece of its future.
And now, with Murray sidelined and the team heading toward a top draft pick, the conversation has shifted from “when will Kyler be back?” to “have we already seen the last of him in a Cardinals uniform?”
The buzz around the league suggests that may very well be the case.
According to a recent mock draft, the Cardinals could be eyeing a bold move to reset the quarterback room entirely. The projection has Arizona trading up with the New York Giants to grab the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - and using it to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Now, Mendoza isn’t just another name on the board. He’s the name in this draft class.
In his first season at Indiana, he’s done more than just impress - he’s dominated. Mendoza has thrown for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
He led the entire FBS in touchdown passes and topped the Big Ten in yards per attempt. That’s not just production - that’s elite-level efficiency and explosiveness.
And the accolades don’t stop there. He’s the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, has led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season, a Big Ten title, and a trip to the College Football Playoff.
For a program like Indiana, that’s historic. For NFL scouts, it’s the kind of resume that demands attention.
Mendoza’s game translates well to the next level. He’s got the arm talent to hit every throw on the field, the poise to work through progressions, and enough mobility to extend plays when the pocket breaks down. He’s not a run-first quarterback, but he can hurt defenses when he needs to - and in today’s NFL, that’s a valuable trait.
If the Cardinals do decide to move on from Kyler Murray - and there’s a financial incentive to do so - the timing might be right. According to reports, Arizona could save up to $42.5 million by trading Murray after June 1. That kind of cap relief could go a long way in helping the team rebuild around a rookie quarterback.
It’s also worth noting that Jacoby Brissett, who has stepped in for Murray this season and looked solid in spurts, is under contract for 2026. That gives the Cardinals a built-in veteran presence to help ease Mendoza’s transition to the pros. Brissett has made a career out of being a reliable, steady hand - and in this scenario, he could be the perfect mentor for a talented young signal-caller.
Murray’s time in Arizona hasn’t been without its moments. He took the team to the playoffs in 2021 and showed flashes of brilliance along the way.
But the last few seasons have been marred by injuries and uneven play. With the team in a full-blown rebuild and a potential franchise quarterback sitting at the top of the draft, the writing may be on the wall.
The Cardinals have a decision to make - and if they believe Fernando Mendoza is the guy, this could be the beginning of a new era in the desert.