After suffering a foot injury in the Arizona Cardinals‘ Week 5 game against the Carolina Panthers, Kyler Murray had been sidelined behind Jacoby Brissett, with the expectation he would return once fully healthy. That changed on December 5th, when Arizona General Manager Jonathan Gannon told the media that Murray would miss the remainder of the season. The announcement surprised both media members and fans, as Gannon had previously been adamant that Murray would retain the starter role. Now it’s confirmed that Brissett will finish out the season as QB1.
Photo Cred: NFL.com
The Cardinals entered Kyler’s seventh year with high hopes, aiming to win the NFC West and secure a playoff berth. Those expectations were derailed early when starting running back James Conner suffered a season-ending injury just three games into the season, placing a heavy offensive burden on Murray. Under added pressure, Murray struggled to produce consistently. In the two games following Conner’s injury, he recorded two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Shortly after the Week 5 loss to the Titans, Gannon announced that Murray would be sidelined indefinitely.
Since then, Jacoby Brissett has stepped in and reignited the offense. Operating within a different game plan than Murray, Brissett has shown versatility in the playcalling and has excelled as a pocket passer, distributing the ball to multiple receivers while allowing backup running back Trey Benson to contribute on the ground. As the weeks passed, speculation continued to grow regarding Murray’s return, especially after he was placed on IR on November 5th.
Now, with Murray officially ruled out for the season, major questions arise about the future of the Cardinals franchise—most notably whether Kyler Murray will be in an Arizona uniform next year. When asked about this, Gannon quickly dismissed the inquiry, saying, “I don’t know. I’m worried about the Rams right now, honestly…”
Kyler Murray has been with the Cardinals for seven years but unfortunately lacks the résumé that would guarantee long-term commitment from the franchise. He has produced only one winning season, which ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Rams. Combined with recurring injuries and inconsistent team success, concerns have grown—and these may ultimately be the deciding factors. Murray is under contract through 2028 with over $100 million still owed, placing the Cardinals in a difficult financial position.
Photo Cred: Bleacher Report
The most logical path for Arizona is to trade Murray, both to clear a significant portion of dead cap space and shift his contract to another organization. However, teams around the league are well aware of the situation and will likely decline trade offers until Murray is either released or his 2026 salary is paid. One way or another, he is not expected to remain on the roster by the start of the 2026–27 season, signaling the end of the Kyler Murray era in Arizona.
