Bold opening: Kyler Murray is leaving Arizona, and the Cardinals are turning the page. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just a firing or a farewell—it's the start of a major rebuild for a franchise that has long depended on one star quarterback.
The Arizona Cardinals have decided to part ways with quarterback Kyler Murray. The team confirmed the release, and reports indicate that trade talks at the NFL Combine went nowhere, despite the Cardinals reportedly exploring all options. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report the plan to release Murray.
Murray himself issued a farewell message on social media just before the news broke. He wrote, on X (formerly Twitter): “To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in Arizona, 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 brothers nothing but the best. I am no stranger to adversity. I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.”
Murray leaves Arizona with a 38-48-1 starting record. His tenure culminated in a 3-14 season in 2025, limited by a midfoot sprain that sidelined him after five games. He finished 2025 with 962 passing yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 68.3% completion rate, adding 173 rushing yards and a score on 29 carries.
In the same season, Jacoby Brissett stepped in and gave the offense a lift, completing 64.9% of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Despite Brissett’s improved production, the team went 1-11 in his starts, underscoring the broader struggles and injuries that plagued Arizona.
With Murray moving on, Brissett is expected to vie for the starting job again in 2026. He’s entering a contract year after signing a two-year deal with the Cardinals last offseason.
Murray’s tenure in Arizona was filled with high highs and notable controversies. He arrived as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and instantly entered the lineup. In his rookie season, he flashed elite potential, completing 64.4% of his passes for 3,722 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, plus 544 rushing yards and four rushing scores. Those performances helped him earn the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The following seasons brought back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances (2020-21) and a memorable stretch that included a 4,790-yard combination of passing and rushing yards in 2020, highlighted by 37 touchdowns overall. The Cardinals also advanced to the playoffs in Murray’s third season, signaling a potential sustained window of competitiveness.
Murray’s sole playoff appearance, however, ended abruptly with a Wild Card loss to the Rams after a late-season skid despite a 7-0 start to the year.
A new five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with $160 million guaranteed followed, but it came amid public disagreements, Instagram removals, and the famous study clause that was later removed. That contract signing is often viewed as the peak of Murray’s time in Arizona.
In 2022, a torn ACL sidelined him early in the season, and the Cardinals pivoted with leadership changes, including the departure of Kliff Kingsbury and the resignation of general manager Steve Keim in the ensuing offseason.
Murray returned in 2023 under new management, and 2024 represented his first full season in several years, posting a 68.8% completion rate, 3,851 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, plus 572 rushing yards and five rushing scores.
The hoped-for breakthrough in 2025 did not materialize, and Murray spent more time on the shelf than on the field. Now, he moves on to the next chapter, while the Cardinals reset at the sport’s most critical position.
Follow-up note: This reset sets the stage for a new era in Arizona, with Brissett possibly stepping back into a leadership role at quarterback as the team rebuilds around new coaching and front-office directions.
