After starting the 2025 NFL season with two straight wins over the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, the Arizona Cardinals have lost six of their last seven games, with all signs pointing to another disappointing end to a season for the struggling franchise.
The Cardinals are dead last in the NFC West, arguably the toughest division in the league during the 2025 campaign, and speculation has started to run rampant about star quarterback Kyler Murray’s future in Arizona.
Cardinals Ready to Move on From Kyler Murray?
GettyKyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals.
It seems as though Murray could be playing in his final season with the Cardinals, as he hasn’t had much success with the team, and decision time is right around the corner, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN points out.
I’m leaning toward Murray not sticking in Arizona in 2026. Murray has spent seven seasons under center, and Arizona has one winning season and zero playoff wins to show for it. It feels like it’s time. 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 he has a market.
Even though Murray hasn’t lived up to expectations as a No. 1 overall pick at the quarterback position for the Cardinals, there will no doubt be interest in his services if he does become available.
The recent success of other high-profile quarterbacks who didn’t pan out with the teams that drafted them, namely Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Daniel Jones, likely will make teams more optimistic that a fresh start in the NFL may be all that is needed to unlock his potential.
Cardinals a Better Team With Jacoby Brissett at QB?
GettyJacoby Brissett #7 of the Arizona Cardinals.
Although the Cardinals continue to struggle during the 2025 campaign, the team appears to be experiencing more success and fluidity on offense with Jacoby Brissett under center, rather than Murray, as Fowler suggests.
It’s clear to everyone watching the Cardinals over the past month that the offense is running more smoothly with Jacoby Brissett at the helm. Murray’s 44.3 QBR ranks 26th in the NFL, but he is an immense talent who could use a change. Multiple teams will likely have quarterback openings, including the Jets and Browns.
With that said, the Cardinals might be better off sticking with Brissett for the rest of the season, even when Murray is ready to return from injured reserve due to the mid-foot sprain.
If the Cardinals are willing to entertain trade offers for Murray during the NFL offseason, it might be the smart move to keep him sidelined when healthy in order not to jeopardize his trade value when the time comes.
In four games played so far this season, Brissett has thrown for 1,118 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception with a completion percentage of 60.9. He’s also rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
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