The future of quarterback Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals is increasingly uncertain following his placement on injured reserve due to a foot injury sustained in Week 5. While head coach Jonathan Gannon has indicated that the injury is not season-ending and that there is a possibility of Murray returning, the organization now faces a critical decision about his long-term role on the team.
Reports from ESPN suggest that the Cardinals may be leaning towards parting ways with Murray. Sources within the organization indicate that “a separation is imminent.” As the team navigates this challenging situation, discussions around Murray’s future are expected to intensify, particularly given the financial implications involved.
Murray is guaranteed $36.835 million for the 2024 season, alongside an additional $19.5 million guaranteed in 2027 if he remains on the roster by the fifth day of the new league year in March. Should the Cardinals decide to release him before June 1, they would incur a substantial dead cap hit of $57.7 million. Post-June 1, that financial burden could be spread across two years, resulting in $50.5 million in 2026 and $7.2 million in 2027, as noted by ESPN.
If the Cardinals opt to trade Murray, they could potentially save $35.3 million in cap space, with $17.9 million remaining as dead money. Since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray’s tenure with the team has been marked by only one winning season (11-6) and a single playoff appearance in 2021, where they were eliminated in the wild-card round by the Los Angeles Rams.
With Murray now on injured reserve and unable to play for at least the next few weeks, his opportunity to showcase his value to the team has diminished. Speculation about his performance has also arisen, with some reports suggesting that he was quietly benched prior to his injury. His earliest chance for a return would be during the Cardinals’ matchup against the Rams on December 7, 2023, a prospect Gannon remains hopeful about.
“I really do [hope that happens],” Gannon stated on Wednesday. “We got a lot of ball to play, and one day at a time. And where he sits right now is he’s got to pour into his health bucket and get ready to get healthy.”
In the meantime, veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett has stepped in as the starter. Over the last three games, Brissett has thrown for 860 yards, with six touchdowns and only one interception, leading the Cardinals to a 1-2 record during that stretch. Murray, who has a quarterback rating of 88.6 and a 2-3 starting record this season, now faces an uphill battle to reclaim his position on the roster as discussions about his future loom large.
“Jacoby does his job, takes it one day at a time, prepares when he wasn’t the starter, prepares to be the starter,” Gannon added. “He knows his role can change, and now he’s going to prepare the same way.”
As the Cardinals weigh their options, all eyes will be on Murray’s recovery and the decisions that lie ahead for the franchise.
