The unceremonious end to Kyler Murray’s Arizona Cardinals tenure is set. All the Cardinals get in return is a clean slate.
After being applauded during his arrival as Arizona’s No. 1 overall pick in 2019 — a pick that came with optimism and hope for Arizona’s future — the reaction to Murray’s departure is similar.
Following seven far from fruitful seasons, the Cardinals are finally cutting bait with the polarizing quarterback.
His career highlights in Arizona include a 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year honor, two Pro Bowls and video game-like plays. No playoff wins, divisional titles, MVPs or All-Pros included.
In a week’s time, Murray will be a free agent, able to sign with whichever team comes calling.
The word “free” is the key word here for all parties involved.
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No longer will Murray have to be the superhero — something he didn’t want — who has to save the Cardinals. For the first time in his NFL career, he could land somewhere where he truly isn’t going to be relied upon to keep the franchise afloat. He’ll also get a new perspective on how a different organization operates for better or for worse.
Of the free-agent quarterbacks this offseason, he’s got one of the best chances at being that next Sam Darnold-esque reclamation project who bounced back with a second chance, especially if the Minnesota Vikings come calling.
He’s got the talent and loves the game, but he needs the right situation. Arizona clearly was not that.
Murray now gets what he wanted with a release, able to have a say in where he ends up. I would be shocked if he doesn’t end up somewhere that has plenty of NFL coaching experience at head coach and/or offensive coordinator, something he didn’t have with both coaching staffs starting out in Arizona.
He’s also going to take a good, hard look into what kind of assets a prospective team offers. While he had tight end Trey McBride and stints with DeAndre Hopkins and best friend Hollywood Brown, Murray’s hasn’t had the most to work with in Arizona. Remember when Dan Arnold was getting a ton of love? Those were dark times. Last year felt similar in that regard, especially when the Cardinals pooled nearly all of its free agent and draft resources into the defensive side of the ball.
Then you see the kind of seasons Marvin Harrison Jr., James Conner and Trey Benson — three playmakers who were expected to help lead the offense but dealt with injuries and poor play. Had it not been for McBride and the surprise emergence of Michael Wilson, there was not a lot to write home about in terms of Cardinals playmaking offensively.
The biggest offensive addition for the Cardinals last year? Murray’s eventually replacement in Jacoby Brissett.
No longer are the Cardinals tied to Murray and wondering where his head is at. The homework clause, which was eventually removed, was put in his contract extension for a reason given all the talk surrounding Murray’s gaming and whether or not he was spending the requisite amount of time studying film.
Now, Arizona gets its fresh start at the position. General manager Monti Ossenfort finally gets the chance to openly evaluate the room without a shadow of the previous regime impacting his decisions.
No longer will Cardinals fans be put in the emotional blender on a near-weekly basis by Murray and his play style. You never knew what Murray was going to show up in the second half of a season, but there was bound to be some jaw-dropping plays sprinkled in along the way.
But with all that newfound freedom Murray, the Cardinals and their fans will soon have comes some harsh realities.
For Murray, a second failed stop would put another stain on his NFL legacy.
His seven NFL seasons with just one playoff appearance is already a huge black eye, especially when that lone postseason game was an ugly one. Not getting it done with another franchise would be another demerit and a far cry from what a No. 1 overall pick is expected to bring to the table.
And what happens if the Cardinals have that miraculous turnaround owner Michael Bidwill reference the day Gannon got fired? Arizona is heading into Year 4 under Ossenfort. He’s had plenty of misses during that span. He has produced zero Pro Bowlers from a free agency or NFL Draft standpoint and is now onto his second coaching staff after a failed third season on the job.
He also saw an offense get more out of McBride and Michael Wilson operating under Brissett last year. A lot has to go right for Arizona to find itself anywhere near a divisional race in 2026. But new head coach Mike LaFleur can turn things around in a hurry, Murray’s departure will be viewed as a major harbinger to any immediate success.
Ossenfort, meanwhile, has one less scapegoat after Murray’s departure and the firing of former head coach Jonathan Gannon. Ex-offensive coordinator Drew Petzing isn’t an option, either, with his hiring by the Detroit Lions.
All eyes are now on how Ossenfort threads the needle when it comes to Arizona’s quarterback in 2026 and beyond. Brissett presents a decent incumbent option to get to 2027 and a draft class expected to present a deeper pool of quarterback prospects.
But does he have any kind of cushion to make it through another lost season? And if he doesn’t, how much is the future leveraged for potential success in the present?
Malik Willis is going to cost more than a rookie quarterback but would give the team an intriguing option with some starting experience who could pick up Mike LaFleur’s offense at a quicker rate.
Drafting Ty Simpson in April could give Ossenfort a rookie option a year early but would also require the Cardinals to use their second-round pick, or trade for a late first-rounder to land the Alabama QB.
Giving up the extra assets in an offseason where upgrades are needed in multiple areas for a flier QB looks counterproductive if it doesn’t work.
There’s also the other side of the coin for Arizona, too.
What happens if Murray hits the ground running wherever he ends up? A split was needed for both sides, but if that is the case, it’s not going to be a good look for the franchise.
As for the fans, they don’t have to live with Murray’s up-and-down nature anymore but also don’t get a front row seat to the next great highlight waiting to be made by the quarterback.
Only memories remain when it comes to Murray and his time in Arizona. The good, bad and indifferent. That’s a good thing for everyone involved.
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