The Kyler Murray chapter in Arizona has officially come to an end as the Cardinals are preparing to release the quarterback on the opening day of the new league year next week. This announcement, reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, has been corroborated by Murray himself via social media, where he expressed gratitude towards his supporters and apologized for not achieving the goals fans had hoped for during his seven seasons with the team.
In his heartfelt message, Murray thanked those who have supported him and expressed a deep desire to end the franchise’s 77-year championship drought. “I am sorry I failed us,” he wrote. He added that while he is familiar with overcoming adversity, he believes his best performances are still ahead of him, and looks forward to a new opportunity in the league.
Financially, the Cardinals are set to save by releasing Murray before March 15, avoiding an additional $19.5 million that would have been triggered for the 2027 season. Currently, they owe him $36.8 million in guaranteed money for 2026.
Murray’s final season in Arizona was challenging, as he recorded a career-low of 962 passing yards and only six touchdowns through five games before being sidelined due to a foot injury. Over the course of his career, he has faced numerous injuries, finishing with a 38-48-1 record in 87 starts since being selected first overall in 2019. Throughout his tenure, he played in just one playoff game and earned two Pro Bowl selections, but he also missed a total of 30 games due to various injuries.
The Cardinals found some success in Murray’s absence, with Jacoby Brissett stepping in and throwing for a career-high 3,366 yards, alongside 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions, although the team still struggled to secure a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive year. Following a disappointing season, the Cardinals parted ways with head coach Jonathan Gannon and have appointed former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
As the Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft, the team has a clear opportunity to select a new quarterback to lead their rebuilding efforts. Brissett, who has a two-year, $12.5 million deal, remains an option, and Arizona has been linked to free agent Jimmy Garoppolo, who has experience working with LaFleur.
Despite the challenges faced, this transition presents a bright opportunity for Kyler Murray to find a fresh start in another organization. Many teams are likely to show interest in the talented quarterback, marking a promising new chapter in his career. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are poised to reshape their offense for the upcoming season with new strategies and leadership.