Arizona Cardinals took a major decision this week regarding kyler murrayNow another decision awaits – one that will impact the future of both the quarterback and the franchise.
The Cardinals must decide this offseason whether to try to trade Murray, release him, or opt to pay $19.5 million in guaranteed money, which will be due on the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March.
The Cardinals and Murray are expected to have extensive discussions to help decide whether to move forward together or go their own ways. Multiple sources believe the latter is the likely outcome, with one source saying this week that “a separation is imminent.”
But before either side gets to that point, there is a lot of time and a lot to play out and understand. For starters, Murray was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday with a mid-foot sprain, ensuring he will miss at least four games until Arizona starts. Jacoby Brissett At quarterback.
It’s another opportunity for Brissett, who some in the league believe has run the Cardinals’ offense at a higher and more efficient level than Murray.
With Brissett starting at quarterback this season, the Cardinals have gone 1-2, averaging 25.7 points and 357 yards per game. With Murray starting at quarterback this season, the Cardinals have gone 2-3, averaging 18.8 points and 288 yards per game.
Of course, those are just some numbers; This situation is also likely to have a financial impact. As of now, Murray is guaranteed $36.8 million next year – his 2026 base salary plus a large portion of his roster bonus.
A key trigger date comes on the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March, when $19.5 million of Murray’s 2027 base salary will become guaranteed if he is still on the roster.
If the Cardinals release him before June 1, they will take a $57.7 million dead cap hit. If they release him after June 1, that dead money will be divided into $50.5 million in 2026 and $7.2 million in 2027.
If the Cardinals trade Murray this offseason, they will accrue $35.3 million in cap savings, while leaving behind $17.9 million in dead money.
It is also relevant for some people around the league to believe that neither general manager Monty Osenfort nor coach Jonathan Gannon were part of the organization when Murray was drafted or his contract extension was signed.
But some around the league also wonder if it could be that Murray is turning into this year’s version of Russell Wilson And Daniel JonesOn a team that doesn’t want to expose themselves to the risk of their quarterback getting injured and future guaranteed money stuck.
During his last media session on October 1, Murray was asked about the Cardinals’ new training facility which is scheduled to open in 2028.
“I hope I’m here to see it,” he said.
Murray eligible to return in Week 14 Los Angeles Rams On December 7, Gannon said that placing Murray on IR was a collective decision between the team and Murray as well as his representatives, adding that it was the best thing for both the player and the team.
“He is fully committed,” Gannon said Wednesday. “Right now, the thing he’s going to focus on is getting healthy. He’s not healthy enough to play. He needs to get healthy so he can start playing football.”
