The 2026 NFL season will look drastically different on offense for the Arizona Cardinals after the team made a huge decision Tuesday regarding Kyler Murray.
The 2019 NFL Draft pick has spent the first seven years of his career in Arizona. However, the Cardinals made a clean break with the former number one pick after another tough 2025 season.
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kyler Murray has been released by the Cardinals ahead of the 2026 NFL season. New head coach Mike LaFleur has the chance to find his own quarterback to lead the NFC franchise.
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Sources: Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they intend to release him on the first day of the league year next Wednesday, barring a trade between now and then.
Arizona already owes him $36.8M guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5M would have triggered on March 15 for… pic.twitter.com/AT5oLDnr5L
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
In recent days, the Cardinals have been linked to several veteran signal callers, including Jimmy Garoppolo. Meanwhile, LaFleur and Arizona also boast a top five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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Murray released an emotional statement to the Cardinals fanbase following Arizona’s decision on Tuesday.
“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote on social media. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.”
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Arizona currently has over $30 million in cap space entering the 2026 offseason, but the team still owes Murray over $36 million this upcoming campaign despite his release.
The Las Vegas Raiders control the draft with the number one pick and will likely select Fernando Mendoza after his tremendous college football season with Indiana. However, Arizona could look at other quarterbacks in the draft like Ty Simpson, Drew Allar, Carson Beck and Cade Klubnik.
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