TEMPE — This was supposed to be the year for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
With the signal caller fully healthy and in Year 3 of the current regime after a busy offseason, elevated expectations and high hopes ran rampant within the locker room and outside of it.
Instead, it feels a lot more like the beginning of the end.
The writing, albeit in pencil, was already on the wall that we had likely seen the last of Murray in 2025 and beyond as a Cardinal when he was first placed on injured reserve (and maybe even a little before then).
Now, the permanent marker has been uncapped and is tracing over those initial thoughts, with head coach Jonathan Gannon officially ruling out the quarterback for the remainder of the season with the mid-foot sprain suffered all the way back in Week 5.
Sidestepping the question of whether or not Arizona’s franchise signal caller would be the guy in 2026 — Gannon said he’s “worried about the Rams, honestly” — has only increased the speed. Same with the timing behind the announcement and Murray’s “never again” social media post.
It’ll likely be an unceremonious end for the 2019 No. 1 overall pick and the team that drafted him. It’s also the best move for both sides.
The two sides have had seven years to figure things out. All they’ve really got to show for their time together is one playoff appearance after backing into the postseason as it was.
A change in scenery gives Murray a chance to be the NFL’s next reclamation project. And believe me, there are plenty of QB-needy teams looking to land the next Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Baker Mayfield-type turnaround.
Will Kyler Murray still be commanding the Arizona Cardinals offense in 2026?
While they can’t answer that question, @AZCardsCorner discusses potential destinations for the QB if his stay is up in the desert.
FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/ufXtUgwfGu pic.twitter.com/9snnARoupg
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 5, 2025
And it gives the current Cardinals regime a chance to actually handpick the signal caller they want to lead this franchise and not try to make it work with a player they inherited at the most important position in the game.
Even then, the future remains undoubtedly murky for both sides outside of the clear path to a split this offseason.
The way things are shaping up, Murray is going to be far from the only departure this offseason. Some serious change needs to happen if this current regime wants to remain off the chopping block in 2026.
That’s what makes these next five weeks even more important.
With playoffs out of sight and out of mind at 3-9, the Cardinals are in full-blown self-evaluation mode, from the top down.
For quarterback Jacoby Brissett, that means five more starts of continuing to prove he can be a part of what the Cardinals are building beyond this year.
So far, he’s stepped into a starting role behind a struggling offensive line and inefficient run game and exceeded expectations despite the lone win.
Can he keep it up, close the season out with some wins and maintain the starting reins in 2026? Even if he doesn’t, it likely won’t be because of Murray.
Buckle up the chinstrap real tight, everyone. This offseason won’t be without some chaos.
