Mike LaFleur is slated to enter his first free agency cycle as a head coach. As he and Monti Ossenfort assemble a roster, how they approach the acquisition process will shape the identity LaFleur hopes to create in Year One. Owner Michael Bidwill said that he wanted a quick turnaround after a disappointing 2025 season. First stop: Free Agency.

Free Agent primer schedule: Running Back March 7.

Other free agent primers: Special Teams, OL, TE, OLB, WR, DL, ILB, Secondary,

Cap hit of players under contract for 2026 (via OverTheCap.com): Kyler Murray ($52,660,677), Jacoby Brissett ($9,190,000), Kedon Slovis ($1,005,000)

Analysis: The Cardinals will part ways with Kyler Murray on March 11, but as of today he remains under contract, and either way, his cap hit will be in the range of $50M for next season. The move to release Murray saves the Cardinals about $19.5 million in guarantees in 2027.

Now the clock is ticking on a decision regarding the most important position in the game. Jacoby Brissett's offseason addition last year proved vital when the veteran filled in during Murray's injury. With a nearly 65 percent completion rate, Brissett passed for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns. His willingness to stand in the pocket allowed for historic seasons from Trey McBride and Michael Wilson, although his eight interceptions were a career-high and 43 sacks taken were second-most over his decade in the league in just 12 starts.

Is Brissett, 33, the guy moving forward or does he return to a backup role going into 2026? Malik Willis is the marquee name in free agency. The quarterback played under Mike LaFleur's brother, Matt, in Green Bay. And Monti Ossenfort was part of the Titans front office that drafted Willis in 2022. Another quarterback linked to the Cardinals has been Rams backup Jimmy Garoppolo because of his familiarity with LaFleur. There are also reports that other teams could be interested in Brissett as a starter if the Cardinals think about a trade.

Depending on what the Cardinals opt to do during free agency will shape their draft choices. Some have projected the Cardinals to draft Alabama's Ty Simpson or wait until the later rounds of the draft for Drew Allar or Garrett Nussmeier.

Notable past free agent quarterback signings: Brissett (2025); Brett Hundley (2019); Sam Bradford (2018); Mike Glennon (2018); Blaine Gabbert (2017); Drew Stanton (2013); Derek Anderson (2010); Kurt Warner (2005); Shaun King (2004); Boomer Esiason (1996); Jim McMahon (1994); Steve Beuerlein (1993).