Kyler Murray and the Cardinals: A Breakup on the Horizon
When the Arizona Cardinals made Kyler Murray the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, they weren’t just selecting a quarterback - they were hitting the reset button on the franchise. After the Josh Rosen experiment flamed out in a single season, Murray brought hope, excitement, and a unique skill set that made Arizona one of the more intriguing teams to watch in the early years of his tenure.
But six seasons in, the Kyler Murray era in Arizona appears to be nearing its end - not with a bang, but with a slow, injury-riddled fade.
A Promising Start That Never Fully Took Off
Murray’s time in Arizona hasn’t been without its moments. He made the playoffs once and helped keep the Cardinals competitive in spurts.
At his peak, his blend of mobility, arm talent, and improvisational playmaking made him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. But the consistency never followed.
Injuries have been a recurring theme, and when he has been on the field, the results have been uneven. Flashes of brilliance were too often followed by stretches of stalled drives and missed opportunities. And in a league that demands year-over-year progression - especially from a franchise quarterback - “moderately competitive” just doesn’t cut it.
This season may have been the tipping point. Murray missed significant time due to injury, and in his absence, veteran Jacoby Brissett stepped in and delivered a steadier hand with the same supporting cast. That contrast didn’t go unnoticed in the Cardinals' front office.
Now, all signs point toward a split. Arizona appears ready to move on, and Murray - still just 28 - could be looking for a fresh start.
The Contract Conundrum
Of course, trading a quarterback isn’t as simple as shipping him off to the highest bidder, especially when that quarterback comes with a $52 million cap hit in 2026. That’s the kind of number that makes most teams hang up the phone before the conversation even starts.
Murray’s contract is the biggest hurdle in any potential move. Teams in need of a bridge quarterback or even a high-upside backup are unlikely to absorb that kind of financial hit for a player who’s seen as a reclamation project at this point in his career.
That said, there are a couple of intriguing fits - franchises with both the cap space and the need - that could give Murray the reset he’s looking for.
The Jets: A High-Risk, High-Reward Bet
The New York Jets are one of the few teams that check all the boxes. They’ve got the cap room - projections have them with at least $82 million in space heading into 2026 - and they’re in the market for a quarterback who can step in if things go sideways again.
For Murray, New York offers a rare opportunity: a chance to rebuild his reputation on a big stage with legitimate talent around him. Garrett Wilson is already one of the league’s premier young receivers, and if Breece Hall remains in the fold, that’s a dynamic duo to lean on. Even if Hall moves on, having a true WR1 like Wilson gives Murray a weapon he hasn’t consistently had in Arizona.
Of course, the Jets would be taking a gamble. But with their financial flexibility and a roster that’s built to win now, they could afford to roll the dice on a quarterback who, when healthy, still has the tools to be special.
The Steelers: A Complicated, But Possible Fit
Then there’s Pittsburgh - a team in transition and a name that’s quietly surfaced in conversations around Murray’s future.
The Steelers still have Aaron Rodgers on the roster, but the fit hasn’t exactly been seamless. Age and injuries have taken a toll on Rodgers’ arm strength and mobility, and the offense has struggled to find rhythm with him under center.
The recent hire of Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ longtime coach in Green Bay, suggests the door is still open for one more run. But it’s also a sign that Pittsburgh is hedging its bets.
If the Steelers decide to turn the page, Murray could be an intriguing option. The contract would need some restructuring, and Pittsburgh would have to swallow a bit of pride - but the pieces are there.
DK Metcalf gives Murray a big-bodied downfield target. Calvin Austin brings speed and versatility, and Pat Freiermuth is quietly one of the more reliable tight ends in the league. McCarthy, for all the criticism he’s taken in recent years, has a track record of building productive offenses when given the right quarterback.
It wouldn’t be a perfect situation, but it could be the kind of fresh start Murray needs - in a football-obsessed city with a coach who knows how to maximize quarterback play.
Still Talented, Still Worth a Look
Here’s the thing about Kyler Murray: the talent never left. He’s still one of the league’s most electric scramblers when healthy, and his arm is more than capable of making the throws required in today’s game. The question isn’t whether he can play - it’s whether he can stay healthy and consistent enough to lead a team again.
We’ve seen quarterbacks with worse reputations - think Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield - bounce back in the right environment. Murray’s ceiling is higher than both, and at just 28, his story is far from over.
Where he lands next will say a lot about how the league views him. But if the right team is willing to bet on the upside, don’t be surprised if Murray writes a compelling second chapter.