Cardinals' Timeline on Kyler Murray Revealed Before $19.5M Contract Guarantees

Heading into an offseason with a lot of decisions awaiting the Arizona Cardinals, one of the biggest could come on or before March 16 when Kyler Murray's 2027 base salary becomes fully guaranteed.

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss noted that the deadline for Murray's $19.5 million salary to convey is the fifth day of the new league year. The 2026 league year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

General manager Monti Ossenfort addressed Murray's future on Monday, per Weinfuss:

"We just came off the last game of the year, and less than 24 hours ago we just left the field, and so there'll be a time and place for those discussions. I think when you come off a season like we have, I'd say all options are on the table, whether it's quarterback or any other position, all options are on the table, and we're going to investigate all those to improve the team. And with every roster decision, we're going to always, as we always have, we're going to do what's in the best interest of the team.

I think what we have to do is we have to look long and hard at this season and what happened. And when you have a season like this, I think all options are on the table.And, so, things didn't work out. Kyler was injured this year, Jacoby [Brissett] stepped in and played well and we'll see what that leads to. We'll see what that leads into the offseason as we construct the 2026 team, but those discussions are for another day, not the day after the season has ended."

Arizona's first order of business this offseason will be to find a new head coach. Jonathan Gannon was fired on Monday after the Cardinals finished this season with a 3-14 record, including losing each of their final nine games.

Murray played just five games this season due to a foot injury. ESPN's Adam Schefter said in November that Murray and the Cardinals were going to have "extensive discussions" over the coming months to determine next steps, with an "imminent" separation likely.

Assuming the two sides decide to part, the next question is whether or not the Cardinals can find a trade partner for Murray.

If Murray is released with a post-June 1 designation, it would save the team $5.7 million against the 2026 cap and $36.3 million in 2027. A pre-June 1 trade would save them $35 million next season and $36 million in 2027.

Given how much money is still left on Murray's contract, along with injuries that led him to 41 games over the past four seasons, there is a feeling in the league that the Cardinals wouldn't get much back in a deal if they can find a trade partner.

Murray did start all 17 games in 2024, throwing for 3,851 yards, running for 572 yards and accounting for 26 touchdowns.