The Arizona Cardinals made a big decision this week regarding Kyler Murray. Now another decision awaits — one that affects the future of both the quarterback and the franchise.
The Cardinals must decide by this season whether they will try to trade Murray, release him or opt to pay another $19.5 million in guaranteed money that becomes due on the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March.
The Cardinals and Murray are expected to have extensive discussions in the future to help determine whether they should move forward together or whether they should go their own ways. Many sources believe the latter outcome is a likely outcome, with one source saying this week that a “breakup is imminent.”
But there is plenty of time, and a lot to play and discover, before either side reaches that point. For starters, Murray was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a midfoot sprain, ensuring he will miss at least four games while Arizona starts Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.
It’s another opportunity for Brissett, who some in the league believe has run the Cardinals’ offense at a higher, more efficient level than Murray.
With Brissett starting at quarterback this season, the Cardinals went 1-2, averaging 25.7 points and 357 yards per game. With Murray starting at quarterback this season, the Cardinals went 2-3, averaging 18.8 points and 288 yards per game.
These, of course, are just some numbers. Financial factors are also likely to influence this situation. As of now, Murray is guaranteed $36.8 million next year — his 2026 base salary and a significant portion of his roster bonus.
A key release date looms on the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March, when an additional $19.5 million of Murray’s base salary for 2027 becomes guaranteed if he is still on the Cardinals’ roster.
If the Cardinals release him before June 1, they will receive $57.7 million. If they release him after June 1, the dead money would be split into $50.5 million in 2026 and $7.2 million in 2027.
If the Cardinals trade Murray this offseason, they would realize $35.3 million in cap savings while leaving behind $17.9 million in dead money.
Another point that some in the league also believe is relevant is that neither general manager Monte Ossenfort nor head coach Jonathan Gannon were part of the Cardinals organization when Murray was drafted or signed his contract extension.
But some in the league are also wondering if Murray could also turn into this year’s version of Russell Wilson and Daniel Jones, on a team that doesn’t want to expose itself to quarterback injuries and guaranteed guarantee money down the road.
During his final media session on October 1, Murray was asked about the Cardinals’ new training facility scheduled to open in 2028.
His response?
“I hope I’m here to see it,” he said.
Murray is eligible to return in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams on December 7.
“He’s fully committed,” Gannon said Wednesday. “Right now, what he’s going to focus on is getting healthy. He’s not healthy enough to play. He needs to get healthy so he can get back to playing football.”