Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray with the headset on during the game against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium.
What the Arizona Cardinals do regarding Kyler Murray’s contract will set the tone for their offseason. Speaking to reporters at the NFL Combine, general manager Monti Ossenfort stated, “all options are on the table” at the quarterback position.
Asked about whether he’s kept in communication with Murray in the offseason, Ossenfort said this.
“I’ve always had a good dialogue with Kyler,” Ossenfort told PHNX Sports’ Bo Brack. “It wasn’t up to what Kyler wanted; it wasn’t up to what any of us wanted as a season as a whole.”
Bo Brack
“l’ve always had a good dialogue with Kyler.”
Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort on if he’s been in communication in Kyler Murray. All parties are disappointed how last season went.
However, the latest report from ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss contradicts Ossenfort’s statement. Most likely, the source is someone close to Murray.
Whether or not Ossenfort remains in constant contact with his starting quarterback distracts a bit from their plans. With Murray on the books for a $52.6 million cap hit, the Cardinals will be motivated to get out of his contract.
Cardinals Plan to Trade Kyler Murray
If the Cardinals can control Murray’s exit from the team, it will be through a trade. That gives them the most potential cap savings while attempting to recoup some draft capital. A trade would save Arizona $34.7 million toward the cap, which could allow them to have a more ambitious offseason.
Armando Salguero, Senior NFL Writer for Outkick, reports that the Cardinals will engage with other teams about a potential trade during the combine. With the upcoming draft class weak at the quarterback position, Arizona can leverage a stronger return.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell previously proposed a trade involving Murray. His proposal involves the Cardinals’ quarterback going to the New York Jets for a Day 3 pick.
That seems lower than what Weinfuss reported in January. An NFC source told the Cardinals reporter that the situation is close to Geno Smith with the Seattle Seahawks. Smith got a third-round pick from the Raiders to reunite with his former head coach. This source said if the Cardinals can trade Murray, they will.
Cardinals Efforts to Trade Kyler Murray Complicated by Contract
However, a trade isn’t so cut-and-dry either. Murray’s 2027 salary becomes guaranteed on the fifth day of the new league year (March 15). That complicates a potential trade, which may lead teams to wait until the Cardinals release him with a post-June 1 designation.
A post-June 1 release only saves $5.142 million on the cap for 2026. It also carries a $7.2 million cap hit in 2027. It would be the least ideal scenario for the Cardinals, but they would be out of the contract.
A trade is nearly a $30 million difference in cap room, so Ossenfort will take any sort of return he can get.
The Cardinals are pressing the reset button at quarterback this offseason. How much cap space Arizona has after handling Murray’s exit could determine their next steps at the position.
If they trade Murray, the extra cap savings would allow them to target free-agent quarterbacks such as Malik Willis or Kirk Cousins to start in 2026. Otherwise, they may have to turn to trading for a short-term rental like Spencer Rattler or Anthony Richardson.
Ossenfort’s tenure with the Cardinals started with trying to revive Murray’s career. Now what he does to move on from the seven-year starter and what happens next will define it.