There’s still a flicker of a Kyler Murray era in Arizona - at least, for now.
According to league insider Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals aren’t ruling out the possibility of keeping Murray on the roster heading into 2026. With Mike LaFleur stepping in as the new head coach, the dynamic under center could shift. LaFleur has familiarity with Murray, and that connection could be enough to give the former No. 1 overall pick another shot in the desert.
But if Arizona does decide to stick with Murray, that opens the door for veteran Jacoby Brissett to become a trade chip. Brissett, who stepped in late last season, could draw interest from quarterback-needy teams - and there are a few of those circling.
The Falcons and Jets are reportedly among the teams that might try to pry Murray away from Arizona. The trade market, however, is murky.
One NFC source told Josh Weinfuss that the Cardinals could be looking for a second-round pick to part with Murray. Another league source floated a third-rounder as a more realistic starting point, comparing the situation to Geno Smith’s trade to the Raiders last year.
That source acknowledged Murray’s higher ceiling but pointed to Smith’s steadier play before his move.
Murray’s contract is the real sticking point. He’s already locked in for $36.8 million in guaranteed money for 2026, and another $19.5 million in guarantees kicks in for 2027 if he’s still on the roster in March.
That’s a hefty financial commitment for a player who’s battled injuries and inconsistency over the past couple of seasons. Arizona could cut ties before the March deadline, but doing so would trigger a massive $57 million dead cap hit - the kind of number that reshapes a franchise’s offseason plans.
Just a few months ago, it felt like Murray had played his final snap in a Cardinals uniform. Before Jonathan Gannon was let go as head coach, the team’s direction seemed clear: move on, reset the quarterback room, and turn the page. But things change quickly in the NFL.
Murray’s 2025 season was derailed by a foot sprain in Week 5. He stayed on the active roster for a month, and there was optimism he’d return.
But then came the pivot - Arizona named Brissett the starter and placed Murray on injured reserve. That was it.
Season over.
Now 28, Murray’s journey has been anything but conventional. Drafted first overall by Arizona in 2019 after initially committing to a baseball career (he was a first-round pick of the Oakland A’s in 2018), he’s shown flashes of brilliance, especially early in his career.
His rookie deal, signed in 2019, included over $23 million in signing bonus money. Arizona picked up his fifth-year option and then doubled down with a massive five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022 - $160 million of that guaranteed.
But since then, it’s been a rollercoaster. Injuries, coaching changes, and inconsistent play have clouded his future.
In 2025, Murray appeared in just five games, completing 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. He added 173 rushing yards and a score on the ground - a reminder that his legs are still a weapon when healthy.
The question now is whether Arizona sees enough upside to ride with Murray into the LaFleur era, or if they’ll take what they can get on the trade market and move on. Either way, the clock is ticking. That March guarantee deadline looms large, and with it, a decision that could define the Cardinals’ trajectory for years to come.