The 2026 NFL free agency period had its share of big moves, but few carried as much backstory as what happened with the Arizona Cardinals. After seven seasons, 20,460 passing yards, 121 touchdowns, two Pro Bowl selections and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Kyler Murray‘s time with the Cardinals was over.
The split wasn’t exactly a surprise; the fans had seen it coming for a while. What raised eyebrows was what Arizona did next. Rather than going hard after a proven replacement, the Cardinals turned to Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew to compete for the starting job.
That decision did not sit right with a lot of people, including at least one former NFL quarterback with a platform and something to say.
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, now with the Minnesota Vikings.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
The Minnesota Vikings moved quickly to pick up Murray, giving him a fresh start under head coach Kevin O’Connell. On paper it makes sense for both sides. Minnesota stabilizes at quarterback and Murray gets a chance to reset his career.
Therefore, it was Arizona’s direction that drew the loudest criticism. Robert Griffin III went after the Cardinals on his podcast “Outta Pocket with RGIII,” and he didn’t sugarcoat.
“What are the Arizona Cardinals doing at quarterback?” Griffin III said. “Did you really get rid of Kyler Murray so that you could have Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew duke it out for the starting job? Because what they’re doing at quarterback right now makes zero sense.”
“Look, Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett are solid veteran NFL quarterbacks, but they’re not gonna inspire the Arizona Cardinals or lead them to a division title when they gotta play against the San Francisco 49ers and the LA Rams and the Seattle Seahawks who just won the Super Bowl. That’s not how you get it done.”
It is indeed a fair point when you look at the NFC West. The Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and defending Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks aren’t going anywhere.
The Cardinals are walking into that division with a quarterback battle that wouldn’t scare anyone.
The writing on the wall actually appeared back in November. Murray was nearing a return from a foot injury when Arizona placed him on IR instead, choosing to stick with Brissett after a prime-time win over Dallas. The Cardinals did not win another game after that and Murray never played again in 2025.
His history with the franchise had its moments with a playoff run in 2021 stood out but injuries derailed the momentum. A torn ACL wiped out 2022, delayed his 2023 return, and though he bounced back with a solid 2024, last season fell apart fast. Arizona started 2-0, lost three straight and then Murray went down again.
Year eight was not going to look any different. The Cardinals chose to move on and Murray now gets a second act in the Vikings.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.