Bold take: Kyler Murray’s era in Arizona is over, and the Cardinals’ rebuild begins with a clean slate at quarterback. And this is where the story gets real: a once-beloved cornerstone exits amid a season that underscored both his immense talent and the franchise’s ongoing churn.
The Arizona Cardinals have chosen to move on from Kyler Murray, with official word confirming that Murray will be released. In the lead-up, reports circulated that the team had explored all possible trade options during the NFL combine, but those conversations ultimately didn’t yield a deal.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news of the planned release, while Murray himself posted a heartfelt farewell on social media just before the official announcement.
In his message, Murray thanked fans and his family for their support in Arizona, reflected on the long-awaited goal of ending the franchise’s 77-year drought, and acknowledged his own role in the journey. He expressed optimism about what lies ahead, underscored by faith and a strong work ethic, and signaled confidence that his best football is still to come. He signed off with well-wishes for the community and his former teammates, Godspeed and all the best moving forward.
Performance-wise, Murray’s tenure with the Cardinals ended with a 38-48-1 record as the starting quarterback. The team’s 2025 season concluded at 3-14, marred by Murray’s midseason midfoot injury that sidelined him after just five games. When healthy, Murray showed flashes of elite playmaking, completing 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions, while also contributing 173 rushing yards and a score on 29 carries.
With Murray sidelined, Jacoby Brissett stepped in and provided a season-long boost to the offense, finishing with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while completing 64.9% of his attempts. Despite Brissett’s improved efficiency, the team’s record reflected continued struggles, ending at 1-11 in his starts.
As Murray departs, Brissett appears poised to contend for Arizona’s starting job again in 2026, entering a contract year after signing a two-year deal last offseason.
Beyond the numbers, Murray’s Cardinals chapter has been a study in polarizing narratives. He arrived as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, instantly cast into a starting role as part of a high-profile package with head coach Kliff Kingsbury. His rookie season showcased both efficiency and playmaking, including a 64.4% completion rate for 3,722 yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, plus 544 rushing yards and four rushing scores, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The following years brought back-to-back Pro Bowl selections and record-setting moments, with a notable 2020 campaign that combined 37 passing touchdowns and 4,790 yards of total offense. The Cardinals also advanced to the playoffs in Year 3, a signal that the Murray–Kingsbury era had yielded tangible progress.
Murray’s sole playoff appearance, however, ended in disappointment—a Wild Card loss to the Rams after a late-season skid that spoiled a strong start. A landmark five-year contract extension followed, valued at roughly $230.5 million with $160 million guaranteed, though negotiations and public perception around the deal were contentious, including an infamous study clause that was later removed.
The peak of Murray’s tenure coincided with a broader organizational shift. In 2022, a significant injury—a torn ACL—sidelined him, coinciding with broader leadership changes as Kingsbury departed and a new front office reshaped the franchise.
Murray’s return in 2023 under new leadership showed glimmers of growth, and the 2024 season offered a fuller, healthier projection with a 68.8% completion rate, 3,851 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, plus 572 rushing yards and five rushing scores. Yet the 2025 season did not materialize into the hoped-for breakout, and the decision to release him signals a strategic reset for Arizona.
With Murray moving on, the Cardinals are now positioned to pursue a new long-term signal-caller and retool around a fresh leadership group. Meanwhile, the broader conversation around Murray—his talent, the fit with the organization, and the lessons of a high-profile partnership—continues to fuel debate among fans and analysts. What do you think the next chapter should look like for Murray, and how should Arizona frame its quarterback strategy in 2026?
