Cardinals Face Tough Decision on Kyler Murray’s Future

Injury, contract guarantees, and new leadership put Murray’s future in question

Kyler Murray’s days in Arizona might just be numbered, and the clock is ticking louder than ever. By mid-March, the Cardinals will find themselves at a crossroads: do they trade, release, or stick with Murray? If they decide to keep him, it’s not just a handshake and a smile—it's an extra $19.5 million guaranteed. With a brand-new general manager and head coach steering the ship—neither of whom picked Murray in the draft or handed him that hefty extension—a clean break is starting to look like the path of least resistance. Situations like this often spark broader questions about leadership expectations and long-term direction, especially in franchises facing pressure to redefine success.

Right now, Murray is sidelined on injured reserve with a mid-foot sprain, forced to watch from the sidelines for at least four games. In his absence, Jacoby Brissett has grabbed the reins as starting quarterback, posting a 1-2 record and averaging 25.7 points and 357 yards per game. For comparison, Murray’s own record this season stands at 2-3, with averages of 18.8 points and 288 yards per game. It’s a classic case of “next man up”—and Brissett is making the most of his audition.

Murray’s bank account isn’t exactly hurting—he’s already locked in for $36.8 million next year. But if he’s still on the roster come mid-March, another $19.5 million from his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed. That’s a lot of cheddar. If the Cardinals cut ties before June 1, they’ll swallow a jaw-dropping $57.7 million dead cap hit. Wait until after June 1, and the pain is spread out: $50.5 million in 2026 and $7.2 million in 2027. Trading Murray could free up $35.3 million in cap space, but even then, $17.9 million in dead money would still haunt the books. It’s the financial equivalent of trying to get gum off your shoe—no matter what, some of it sticks.

Across the league, teams are growing wary of handing out golden parachutes to quarterbacks. After watching the Russell Wilson and Daniel Jones sagas unfold, front offices are now thinking twice before signing off on long-term guarantees. Recent examples around the league show how off-field incidents and discipline decisions impact roster planning just as much as performance and health. Injuries and performance dips have made them as skittish as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

Murray, for his part, has said he hopes to be around for the grand opening of the Cardinals’ new training facility in 2028. He’s eligible to return in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams on December 7. But whether he’ll still be donning a Cardinals jersey by then—or even next season—is the million-dollar (or, let’s be honest, multi-million-dollar) question facing Arizona’s front office. Across the NFL, front offices are constantly evaluating how teams adjust when key players are suddenly unavailable due to injury, suspension, or contract standoffs.

For Cardinals fans, the next few months promise to be a rollercoaster—so buckle up, because this ride is just getting started.