Kyler Murray Landing Spots Evaluated by NFL Insider Amid Rumors on Cardinals Future

The Arizona Cardinals might run into some difficulty if they try to trade quarterback Kyler Murray and the $125 million remaining on his contract this offseason.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote Wednesday that the Cardinals are likely trying to preserve Murray's health "for a potential trade this offseason" by shutting him down for the rest of the 2025 campaign.

Fowler described the Minnesota Vikings as an "ideal" spot for Murray, but noted that J.J. McCarthy has looked more like a potential franchise quarterback over the last two weeks.

He also named the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets and as teams "which appear to be in transition at quarterback.

"Whether a team takes a chance on Murray's maligned career — and gives up draft capital and financial resources to do it — remains to be seen," Fowler wrote.

Murray played just five games this season before suffering a foot injury in Week 5. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said on Dec. 5 the decision to officially shut the quarterback down for the season ahead of Week 14 was made because "he wasn't progressing in a way that we wanted."

When asked at the time Murray would be back with the team in 2026, Gannon declined to answer, per AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban.

Murray is currently signed through 2028, and he has $39.8 million of his 2026 salary already guaranteed, per Spotrac.

If the Cardinals decide to part ways with Murray, they might need to make that decision before $17 million of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed on March 15, according to Spotrac.

Trading Murray before June 1 would cost the Cardinals $28.6 million in dead cap but bring $14.7 million in savings, according to Over the Cap.

Murray has seen his career derailed by injury over the last few seasons, but the former No. 1 pick is heading into his age-29 season just a few years removed from being one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell's recent work revitalizing Sam Darnold's career could make him a good match for Murray, if Minnesota decides McCarthy could benefit from some competition in the quarterback room this offseason.

Both the Jets and Raiders will meanwhile be looking for new options under center next season, and could potentially look to add an experienced quarterback even if they target the position in the 2026 draft.

The Cardinals have Jacoby Brissett under contract for one more season. Other teams' interest in Murray, as well as how confident the franchise feels going into 2026 with Brissett, could influence how the Cardinals manage their quarterbacks this offseason.