Will Kyler Murray Return to Cardinals? NFL Execs Weigh in on QB's Future Amid Rumors

On the heels of quarterback Kyler Murray being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury, there is reportedly a sense within the NFL that Murray may have played his final game with the Arizona Cardinals.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, "it wouldn't surprise a lot of league executives" if the Cards decide to move on from Murray during the offseason.

Before injuring his foot, Murray had posted a 2-3 record, while completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, and he also rushed for 173 yards and one score.

The Cards averaged just 20.6 points per game in his five starts, which was a disappointment given the presence of offensive weapons such as tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona is only 1-6 in seven games started by Jacoby Brissett during Murray's absence, but it is fair to say the veteran journeyman has outplayed Murray, completing 67.5 percent of his passing attempts for 2,188 yards, 13 touchdowns and four picks to go along with 116 yards and one score on the ground.

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Even if the Cardinals don't have long-term plans for Brissett, the fact that the offense has been better with him under center could be reason enough to consider a breakup with Murray.

After he won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, Murray went first overall to Arizona in the 2019 NFL draft. He won the NFL Rookie of the Year Award in his debut season and was named to the Pro Bowl each of the next two years.

Murray also led the Cards to the playoffs in 2021, but that still stands as the team's only postseason appearance during Murray's tenure.

Durability has also been an issue for Murray, who has missed at least three games in four of the past five seasons.

Murray is signed through at least 2027 with a club option for 2028, and per Russini, he is owed $36.8 million in fully guaranteed money for 2026.

According to Spotrac, the Cardinals will incur $57.7 million in dead cap for a pre-June 1 release or $17.9 million for a pre-June 1 trade, meaning a trade would be the ideal scenario for Arizona.

However, there is no guarantee a team is willing to give up assets for Murray if there is a belief that the Cardinals plan to move on from him regardless.

No matter how it ultimately happens, Russini wrote that "the sense is change is coming" in Arizona as it relates to the quarterback position.