The assumption around Kyler Murray has been that the quarterback will not return to the Arizona Cardinals for an eighth season.
While that could still be the case, new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur has given no indication of a timeline for when a decision will be made.
“Just like everything else on the roster, open conversations in this building,” LaFleur said in a Wednesday press conference. “No time frame on that.”
Murray, 28, appeared in just five games last season before going on injured reserve with a foot injury that wound up ending his season in early October.
He’s guaranteed $36.8 million for the 2026 season as part of the five-year, $230 million extension he signed with the Cardinals. But he also will have his base salary of $19.5 million for the 2027 season guaranteed if he’s still on the roster March 15, putting a deadline of sorts on when Arizona would need to trade or release him.
Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has appeared in eight or fewer games two of the past three seasons. He’s started all 87 career games he has played for the Cardinals, throwing for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions while rushing for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett stepped up in place of Murray last season, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games (12 starts) last season.
Brissett, 33, is a likely starting candidate entering LaFleur’s first season in Arizona if the team doesn’t elect to use its third overall pick in the April draft on a quarterback.
The Cardinals finished 3-14 in the tough NFC West in 2025 and fired coach Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5 after three seasons.
–Field Level Media
