NFL Exec Reveals Kyler Murray Landing Spot Prediction Tied to Kingsbury amid Rumors

Quarterback Kyler Murray's future with the Arizona Cardinals is in some doubt, especially after head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the team would go with Jacoby Brissett as the team's starter even if Murray, who is dealing with a mid-foot sprain that landed him on injured reserve, was healthy.

If Murray's time with Arizona is ending, one NFC executive predicted a potential landing spot (or rather, a potential connection), per comments made to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones: "Eat some money and trade him to where Kliff (Kingsbury) goes as a head coach, if he gets one."

Jones broke down the connection between Murray and Kingsbury, the current Washington Commanders offensive coordinator.

"Kingsbury and Murray have known each other since Murray was a high school sensation in Texas; Kingsbury recruited Murray when he was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M and of course was hired by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 to set up the dawn of the Murray era."

Kingsbury was the Cardinals' head coach from 2019-2022. During that stretch, Murray was the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year (2019) and a back-to-back Pro Bowler (2020 and 2021). The Cardinals also posted their lone winning season (and playoff appearance) in the past decade with Murray and Kingsbury together in 2021, when Arizona won 11 games and earned the NFC's No. 5 seed.

So perhaps a reunion could reunite the spark shown at times during Murray's first four years in Arizona.

Of course, that would also mean Kingsbury finds a head coaching gig next year, which is no guarantee, especially with the injury-hampered Commanders scuffling through a tough 3-6 season with the No. 20 scoring offense in football. Kingsbury notably did a great job as Washington's OC in 2024, though, with the team going 12-5 and having the No. 5 scoring unit in the league.

As far as Murray's future goes, he is due a guaranteed salary of $36.8 million in 2026 whether he's on the team or not, per Over the Cap.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network explained more on the situation.

"If they cut him, they'll be on the hook for all of it. Additionally, there is a deadline because if he's on the roster on the fifth day of the league year this March, $19.5 million in 2027 becomes fully guaranteed (a year early, essentially).

"Said simply, the Cardinals must cut him before March to not be on the hook for any of his 2027 salary. A release triggers a $57.7 million cap hit that can be split up between 2026 and 2027, while a trade triggers a manageable $17.9 million dead cap hit but saves $35.3 million."

For now, Murray remains a Cardinal. Brissett will be under center in the meantime, and he'll lead 3-5 Arizona into Seattle on Sunday for a huge NFC West battle with the 6-2 Seahawks. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET.