It’s officially been more than a week since the Arizona Cardinals placed quarterback Kyler Murray on injured reserve, and more than a month since Murray has played in a game.
Many believe the Cardinals have quietly benched Murray, and his ankle injury is somewhat of a scapegoat.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has started the last four games and will start at least the next three games for the Cardinals, and the offense has looked noticeably better with Brissett under center.
What’s the Latest From ESPN Insiders On Kyler Murray?
The Cardinals’ offense has been less than mediocre all year, but since Brissett took over, the passing game has improved.
The Cardinals’ overall offense hasn’t shown significant improvement, but their competition has also been strengthened.
When you look strictly at the stats, the difference between Brissett and Murray at quarterback this year hasn’t been much different.
Murray is 2-3 as a starter, ranks No. 18, according to PFSN’s QB Impact, and No. 7 in third-down conversion percentage.
Brissett is 1-3 as a starter, ranks No. 15, according to PFSN’s QB Impact, and No. 4 in third-down conversion percentage. The one big difference is passing yards per game, which Brissett has the upper hand in when starting.
The thought around the league is Murray has played his last down as a Cardinal, and ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano gave more details on Murray’s NFL future earlier this week.
“I’m leaning toward Murray not sticking in Arizona in 2026,” Fowler wrote. “It’s hard to envision any scenario in which the Cardinals want to guarantee $19.5 million of 2027 salary for Murray, which would be the case if they don’t trade or release him by the fifth day of the upcoming league year.
“Moving any of his nearly $37 million in 2026 guarantees would be a challenge but not impossible if there’s a market for his services.”
Murray is a former first-overall pick, but with that came a large rookie extension contract.
If the Cardinals were to move on from Murray, trading him would be the best avenue. However, his contract is huge for a team to take on, in addition to giving up draft capital.
“Most people I talk to about the Murray situation doubt that the Cardinals will be able to trade that contract, which means he’d likely be released before that 2027 money triggers next March,” Graziano wrote. “If you’re a team with a need at QB and don’t have the draft capital to be able to draft a top guy in 2026 (or if you’re, say, the Jets, and have three first-round picks in the 2027 draft and might prefer the QBs in that class), then maybe it’s worth taking a shot at salvaging Murray.”
Fowler also named the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns as potential trade candidates for Murray, as both franchises are expected to be in the quarterback market this offseason.
Graziano brought up the Miami Dolphins, in case they decide it’s time to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, or the Carolina Panthers, in case the same decision is made about Bryce Young.
Murray wouldn’t be the first former first-round pick to change teams and find success. Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Baker Mayfield have all been examples of that, and even Mac Jones in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
“Coaches love reclamation projects, and I think Murray can be salvaged,” Graziano said. “Murray is deeper into his career than those players were, but many league evaluators still considered him among the top 12-14 quarterbacks entering this season.
“What happened this season won’t change that outlook too much. The NFL is starving for capable quarterback play, so he should find a home somewhere.”
There’s still plenty of time before the offseason, and Murray could return to play the last few weeks of the season for the Cardinals.
All we can do is speculate as of now, and there are a lot of quarterback-needy teams out there. Murray in Mike McDaniels’ system could be scary.