Arizona Cardinals Reveal Decision on Former No. 1 Overall Pick Kyler Murray

The Arizona Cardinals have reached their decision on quarterback Kyler Murray. Not surprisingly, they are moving on from the former No. 1 overall pick.

Things had been trending in this direction for some time, and with the start of the new NFL league year and free agency eight days away, the Cardinals are pulling the plug on the Murray era. They will either find a trade partner for the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner before next Wednesday or grant Murray his release.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news Tuesday afternoon.

"Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they intend to release him on the first day of the league year next Wednesday, barring a trade between now and then," Schefter tweeted. "Arizona already owes him $36.8M guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5M would have triggered on March 15 for 2027. He now will be moving on."

More to come...

Murray on the move soon

As we said, this conclusion was brewing for some time. The marriage between Murray and the Cardinals got off to a strong start, with the University of Oklahoma product winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and making the Pro Bowl in each of the next two seasons.

In the summer of 2022, Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension, with $160 million guaranteed. The deal locked him in through the 2028 season, but problems soon emerged.

In Week 14, Murray suffered a torn ACL, an injury that kept him out for the first nine games of the 2023 season. He returned to start the final eight games under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, and then turned in a solid, if unspectacular performance in 2024, making all 17 starts and throwing for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

However, a foot injury limited Murray to only five games in 2025, and with the Cardinals again breaking in a new era--Mike LaFleur was hired as head coach last month--the time is right for a fresh start.

Where might Murray wind up?

Still just 28, Murray has enough talent in the tank to entice a team for next season. It might not be a long-term commitment though, with reported concerns throughout the league regarding his leadership skills and injury history.

It seems likely that teams will simply wait for Arizona to release Murray rather than surrendering draft capital to acquire him. If he does hit the free market, expect teams like the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons or Miami Dolphins to potentially show interest.