Kyler Murray Reportedly Will Be Released by Cardinals, QB Apologizes to Fans for 'Failed' Run

The Kyler Murray era is reportedly over in Arizona.

The Arizona Cardinals are planning on releasing Murray at the start of the league year if they can't find a trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Murray took to social media to address the news:

Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022. That deal, which kicked in ahead of the 2023 season and ran through 2028.

If designated as a post-June 1, the release will cost the Cardinals $54.7 million in dead money, which can be split between the 2026 and 2027 seasons, per Over the Cap.

The Cardinals chose Murray as their franchise quarterback when they used the No. 1 pick to draft him in 2019.

That paid off early as Murray established himself as a top dual-threat quarterback over his first three NFL seasons.

Murray was named 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year, then earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2020 and 2021.

His career was derailed by a torn ACL suffered in December 2022, which sidelined him for parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Murray returned but struggled with consistency in 2024, especially when attempting to pass under pressure. His 2025 campaign was then once more derailed by injury thanks to the foot issue that ended his season in Week 5.

The Cardinals found more success on offense once Jacoby Brissett took over for Murray, raising questions as to the quarterback's future as a starter for the franchise.

Murray may not have been a sought-after trade candidate due to the money remaining on his previous contract.

Given the elite ceiling the quarterback has already proven he is capable of reaching, however, it seems likely another team could take a chance on signing him in the future.

---