The Arizona Cardinals have spent the early part of the offseason kickstarting what could be a painful rebuild. After hiring Mike LaFleur to be their new head coach, he quickly found himself with a roster that is in disarray. Easily the biggest question mark is at the quarterback position, where Kyler Murray is no longer in the picture for the Cardinals.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign, Arizona decided to release Murray and begin the process of finding a new quarterback of the future. For the time being, Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew IV are leading the way at this spot, with LaFleur recently explaining the team’s train of thought when it came to their decision to move on from Murray.
Mike LaFleur Dishes on Cardinals’ Decision to Release Kyler Murray
The Cardinals selected Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft with the hope that he could solidify the quarterback position for them for years to come. While Murray flashed his potential throughout the years, he struggled to find the sort of consistency that Arizona was looking for from him.
In 2025, Murray played in just five games thanks to a lingering foot injury, but given how Brissett outperformed him during his initial absence, the team didn’t really have any reason to rush him back onto the field. Once the offseason rolled around, it wasn’t much of a surprise to see the Cardinals release Murray.
Since then, Murray has latched on with the Minnesota Vikings, while Arizona seems set to roll with Brissett and Minshew for the 2026 campaign. Despite what many folks would like to believe, LaFleur revealed that the team actually discussed whether or not it should keep the former No. 1 pick in town before eventually deciding that it was best to part ways with him.
“We had discussions (about keeping Murray) and we’ll keep it at that,” LaFleur said, per Darren Urban of the team’s official website. “You name it, we were talking about it. The quarterback position is the most important position in all of sports. We know that. There were lengthy conversations in so many different aspects of it and there will continue to be until we know we have the most perfect room possible.”
Cardinals Looking for New Long-Term Option at Quarterback
GettyKyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws in between play during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
For the time being, Brissett and Minshew will make do at the quarterback position, but neither of them is the long-term answer at this spot for Arizona. The problem for the Cardinals is that finding a proper replacement for Murray is going to be difficult, as the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t exactly loaded with top-tier quarterback prospects.
Arizona seems content to play out the 2026 campaign before looking for a new quarterback of the future next offseason, with the 2027 draft class expected to feature more first-round prospects at this position. It’s not a great situation for LaFleur and the Cardinals, but after striking out on Murray, this is the process that the team will have to endure in its quest to get back on track.
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