The Kyler Murray era with the Arizona Cardinals is coming to an end, and it was Murray who let everyone know.
Murray tweeted on Tuesday a farewell message, noting that "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."
Multiple reports came out immediately after that the Cardinals had told Murray he will be released next week unless a trade partner can be found. The Cardinals cannot officially cut or trade Murray until March 11, the first day of the new league year.
Either way, the move will end months of speculation about his future and resetting the position with the arrival of new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Murray had not spoken publicly since after a loss to the Titans in Week 5.
"To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you," Murray said in his tweet.
He added "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."
Once Murray is no longer on the roster, he will have suitors now that he will not be attached to his previous contract. (The Cardinals will absorb a cap hit of about $55 million in 2026 for Murray; the move negates another $19.5M or so of 2027 guarantees that would have kicked in had he been on the roster after March 15.)
Teams that have been reported as potential landing spots for Murray include the Vikings and Falcons, and he will be available for the league minimum given that the Cardinals already owe him a guaranteed $36M for this season.
The Cardinals still have veteran Jacoby Brissett on the roster as well as Kedon Slovis. Brissett started the final 12 games of the season for the Cardinals in 2025. Reports have the Cardinals potentially considering veterans Jimmy Garoppolo and Malik Willis in free agency, and there are also quarterbacks in the draft that could be in the mix.
Murray leaves after seven seasons and 87 games – all starts. Despite playing only five games this season, he finished with more games played than any other Arizona QB. More than Jake Plummer (82), more than Kurt Warner (61), more than Carson Palmer (60).
He is third all-time in franchise history with 20,460 passing yards, behind Jim Hart and Neil Lomax. He's second to Hart in completions (1,974), and third in TD passes to Hart and Lomax (121). And his 3,193 rushing yards puts him 11th all-time for the franchise, ahead of such backs as David Johnson, Edgerrin James and Beanie Wells.
Murray's career started as hoped in Arizona with Kliff Kingsbury as coach. He was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021. In 2020 he had his best statistical season, completing 375-of-558 passes for 3,971 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and also rushed for 819 yards and 11 more scores.
In 2021, he led the Cardinals to a 7-0 start and an 11-6 record, as the team made the playoffs for the only time in Murray's tenure.
Things derailed in 2022. The Cardinals struggled in Kingsbury's last season, and then Murray tore his ACL late in the season, knocking him out until midseason of 2023 under new coach Jonathan Gannon.
Murray's return provided hope that season, however, and the 6-4 Cardinals were in first place in the NFC West at their bye in 2024. The team stalled in losing five of their last seven.
This season, expectations were high, and the Cardinals won their first two games. But they lost close games against the 49ers and Seahawks and then came the game that ultimately unraveled both Murray and the Cardinals seasons – the 22-21 loss to Tennessee in which Murray hurt his foot.
Murray did not play for the Cardinals again.
After missing three games (Murray was able to practice some in the late stages of the rehab), he ended up on Injured Reserve on Nov. 5. Once he was eligible to return, however, Gannon ultimately said the QB would remain on the list for the balance of the season.
Since then, there was ample conversation about Murray's future in Arizona. A fresh start for both him and the team seemed inevitable, especially with a coaching change.
