Murray’s release can become official on March 11 and is a parting that could be seen coming from as early as the end of the 2024 season, a point at which the sentiment in Arizona seemed to shift toward requiring Murray to prove he was still worth the lucrative deal he signed in 2022. The quarterback fell short of that mark in 2025, struggling to generate consistent production, especially once running back James Conner was lost to a season-ending injury after just three games.
Murray dealt with injuries of his own in 2025, leading to his replacement with veteran backup Jacoby Brissett, who found more success under center than Murray. When Arizona chose to proceed with Brissett over Murray — using Murray’s foot injury as an explanation — it felt like a soft benching of Murray, who landed on injured reserve in early November and did not return due to the ailment.
The first overall pick of the 2019 draft, Murray earned Offensive Rookie of the Year, made two Pro Bowls and during the 2021 season led the Cardinals to a wild-card appearance under former coach Kliff Kingsbury. Since then, Arizona has struggled mightily, firing coach Jonathan Gannon in January after going 15-36 in three seasons in the desert.
Signs of an impending split became clear at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week when Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort told reporters “all options are on the table for us” regarding the quarterback position, a statement that was far from a commitment to Murray and his lucrative contract.
Now, it’s clear Ossenfort believes it’s in the Cardinals’ best interest to shed Murray’s contract — and his $19.5 million salary that would have been fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the upcoming new league year — accept the dead cap hit of $54.7 million for 2026 and close the book on Murray’s chapter before proceeding into their next hopeful era.
Murray, meanwhile, will generate interest on the open market from teams seeking experienced starters. The fact he’ll cost them only the veteran minimum makes him that much more attractive.
