The Kyler Murray era in Arizona is over.
The Cardinals are set to release the quarterback on the first day of the new league year next week, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Murray confirmed the news on social media, too, and apologized for failing during his seven seasons in Arizona.
“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote on social media. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.
“I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.”
The Cardinals already owe Murray $36.8 million in guaranteed money in 2026. Releasing Murray before March 15 gets them out of another $19.5 million that would have been triggered for the 2027 campaign.
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The 28-year-old will now get a change of scenery after a rough final season in Arizona. Murray threw for a career-low 962 yards and 6 touchdowns with 3 interceptions last season. He played in just five games before missing the rest of the campaign with a foot injury.
Murray’s career has been marred by injuries. He finished with a 38-48-1 record in 87 starts after being selected with the No. 1 pick in 2019. He appeared in just one playoff game throughout his seven seasons there, and was named to two Pro Bowls. He’s missed 30 total games due to various injuries, too.
Jacoby Brissett had a breakout run last season in Murray’s absence, however, so the Cardinals weren’t totally lost without him. He threw for a career-high 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, though the Cardinals went just 3-14 and missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season. They went just 1-11 under Brissett’s leadership, too.
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The Cardinals split with head coach Jonathan Gannon at the end of the season, and have since hired former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to replace him.
The Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick in the draft this spring, so they could easily select a quarterback to replace Murray and start building around. Brissett will enter the second year of a two-year, $12.5 million deal next season, too, so he is definitely an option. Arizona has also reportedly been linked to free agent Jimmy Garoppolo, who previously played under LaFleur with the Rams and San Francisco 49ers. There are any number of options available to LaFleur.
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But regardless of which direction the team goes at quarterback, the offense will look very different next fall. Murray, after a tough final season, will have the opportunity for a fresh start elsewhere in the league for the first time in his career. And even though it wasn’t great at the end, there will surely be teams interested in bringing Murray in.