The Arizona Cardinals have settled the near-term question on their quarterback. Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced last week that Kyler Murray will not return in 2025 due to a lingering foot injury, shifting the focus to his long-term outlook and the club’s offseason decision-making.
The timing coincides with the Cardinals’ elimination from playoff contention and an offense functioning under Jacoby Brissett, making health and contract factors the core of what comes next.
How Do Kyler Murray’s Injury and Jacoby Brissett’s Play Reshape Arizona’s Plans?
Gannon explained the shutdown came after consultations and a lack of meaningful progress in rehab. “He wasn’t progressing in a way that we wanted, so we went and got a different opinion, some different people, and (the foot) is just not right,” Gannon said. The decision removes weekly speculation and positions the club to prioritize Murray’s full recovery over late-season appearances.
Brissett has been the starter since Week 6, and the offense has shown improved production with him under center. During that span, Arizona’s points per game and yardage totals have increased significantly compared to the first five games, reflecting operational stability despite the team’s record. The split underscores how health realities and performance trends led to clear near-term roles for the quarterback room.
Teammates voiced support for Murray’s work and status in the organization. “Kyler puts in a lot of work and is a valuable piece to this team, and this organization,” wide receiver Michael Wilson said.
“Him not being to able to be back in the saddle is a tough blow because I know for him and for us, we had a lot of expectations and high hopes and conversations prior to this year about what we could accomplish as a team. They paid him as a franchise guy, and he’s shown he can be that guy, and so I do feel deeply for him.”
The comments reflect the locker room’s perspective as the club navigates the remainder of the season with Brissett.
Murray’s Contract and the Cardinals’ Offseason Timeline
The following relevant checkpoints are medical clearance milestones in the offseason and the team’s roster-building calendar. Free agency opens March 11, and the draft begins April 23, establishing windows when Arizona must weigh football readiness against strategic options.
Reporting in November suggested that league sources believed a separation was possible, but Gannon publicly deflected speculation, maintaining focus on game preparation.
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Contract structure factors heavily. Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension in July 2022, with significant guarantees that vest each season. Those guarantees complicate any release or trade scenarios and require alignment with medical outcomes, market interest, and any renegotiation paths if the club pursues a move. Absent a transaction, Arizona could stand pat and reassess in the spring once there is medical clarity and a fuller picture of the roster.
Brissett remains the starter, and the organization enters the offseason with multiple scenarios in play. The club has time to align medical status with contract logistics and competitive priorities before making any decisions on 2026.
Arizona Cardinals’ Stats and Insights for Week 15
Team: The Cardinals have lost ten of 15 games since starting last season 6-4.
QB: With Murray out for the season, Brissett will be the starter for the remainder of the season. Brissett has 2,459 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes through eight starts. With four games left, Brissett is 639 passing yards and three touchdowns away from his career highs that were set in 15 starts.
Offense: The Cardinals scored 20.6 points per game in five Kyler Murray starts, and 22.4 points per game in Jacoby Brissett’s eight starts.
Defense: The Los Angeles Rams scored 45 points in Week 14 to become the third Cardinals opponent in the last five games to score over 40.
Fantasy: Brissett has been a revelation, but this matchup is pretty clearly one to avoid. Houston has recently made Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen look ordinary. Stream the position this week, Brissett isn’t worth the risk.
