Following a turbulent seven-year tenure in the desert, Kyler Murray’s period with the Arizona Cardinals is slated to conclude.
The Arizona organization plans to release the 28-year-old signal-caller on Wednesday, marking the inaugural day of the 2026 league season, according to sources who informed ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter on Tuesday. This outcome was Murray’s desired choice, an insider revealed to ESPN. Presently, Murray possesses the ability to determine his next destination, rather than being moved to a squad outside his influence. The insider informed ESPN that Murray has a preference for two undisclosed locations.
Regardless of Murray’s ultimate destination, the Cardinals have already secured him $36.8 million for the 2026 season. They bypassed an additional payment of $19.5 million for 2027 by terminating his contract prior to the fifth day of the league year.
The situation began in 2019 appearing to be a divine pairing, with the Heisman Trophy recipient quarterback from Oklahoma being drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cardinals, who had recently appointed Kliff Kingsbury as their head coach. Kingsbury, previously the Texas Tech coach, had attempted to recruit Murray during his high school years; although that endeavor was unsuccessful, the pair forged a robust bond.
However, that developed into a complicated predicament.
Murray guided Arizona to the postseason only a single time, culminating in a decisive defeat against the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. During 2022, soon after he inked his extension, information emerged about a provision included in his agreement mandating Murray’s independent film study for four hours weekly, openly challenging his dedication. Subsequently that season, Murray verbally attacked Kingsbury on the sideline, an incident that occurred before an ACL injury, marking the initial significant injury of Murray’s professional career.
Over the subsequent three seasons, Murray struggled to regain his pre-injury form while playing for ex-coach Jonathan Gannon, who has since been succeeded by Mike LaFleur.
Therefore, what lies ahead for the Cardinals? Are they going to select Murray’s successor in the draft? And which team could Murray eventually join? Kevin Seifert, a Vikings correspondent, and Matt Miller, an NFL draft expert, contribute to offering the analysis. — Joshua Weinfuss
What is Arizona’s quarterback prospect as they approach the offseason?
Jacoby Brissett remains under contract with the Cardinals for 2026; recall that he led in completions, placed second in passing yards, and third in passing touchdowns from Week 6 onward, following his assumption of Murray’s role for the remainder of the season. Despite Arizona securing only a single victory with him playing, Brissett performed effectively.
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.
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…
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 3, 2026
It remains uncertain if LaFleur has observed sufficient qualities in Brissett to retain him for the current season; however, the Cardinals are improbable to select a quarterback at the third overall pick, though choosing one in a later round remains a potential course of action. This suggests the Cardinals will either acquire a quarterback via trade or sign one through free agency, with the latter appearing to be the more probable scenario.
An insider indicated a mutual interest between the Cardinals and Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, with whom LaFleur collaborated for the past three seasons in Los Angeles. — Weinfuss
Should the Vikings be considered a potential destination for Murray’s signing?
Without a doubt.
Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings’ executive vice president of football operations, stated last week that the organization is investigating every avenue to acquire a quarterback in light of J.J. McCarthy’s difficulties in 2025. Minnesota isn’t strictly aiming to replace McCarthy as the primary signal-caller, yet they also haven’t dismissed the idea of a new arrival who would immediately assume the role of an undisputed starter upon joining the team.
This places Murray at — or close to — the pinnacle of the Vikings’ preferences. He will undoubtedly attract attention, understanding the profound influence even a single season playing alongside Justin Jefferson and under coach Kevin O’Connell could have on his career.
The dilemma is whether the Vikings are genuinely prepared to relegate McCarthy to a reserve role, especially after granting him merely 10 starts since selecting him as the tenth overall pick in the 2024 draft.
With O’Connell commencing his fifth season guiding the squad, none of which have resulted in a postseason victory, this must be a factor. — Kevin Seifert
Is Arizona capable of substituting Murray with the third pick in the draft?
The Cardinals *have the option* to replace Murray as the third overall selection, but it’s ill-advised. The 2026 draft class presents a single legitimate franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, and he is widely anticipated to be chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Selecting the second-best quarterback of the class so early in the round is not an optimal circumstance. Ty Simpson of Alabama currently bears that designation, though I assess him as the 39th overall prospect, drawing a professional comparison to Mac Jones. Essentially, Simpson offers no certainty of becoming an influential passer in the NFL, having only 15 collegiate starts and possessing ordinary physical attributes and characteristics.
The more probable strategy, if the Cardinals opt to address the position during the draft, involves the team trading back into Round 1 from the 34th overall spot to secure either Simpson at a more favorable value or the third-ranked quarterback of the class. Those prospects would likely include Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, Drew Allar from Penn State, or Carson Beck from Miami, contingent upon the arrangement of Arizona’s draft rankings. — Miller