Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray may be looking for a new home this offseason. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals may waive Murray barring any last-minute trades.
Murray is in the second year of a $230.5 million contract he signed in 2022. His contract with the Cardinals is worth $125.1 million through 2028, according to The Athletic. Nearly $40 million is fully guaranteed through 2026. If the Cardinals released Murray outright in March, they would lose $57.7 million. If they release him after June 1, the dead cap hit will be split: $50.5 million in 2026 and $7.2 million in 2027.
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Fortunately for the Cardinals, the salary cap is expected to rise during the 2026-2027 season if they decide to move on from Murray.
Murray threw for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in five games before missing the remainder of last season with a foot injury. The 28-year-old quarterback spent his first seven seasons with the Cardinals, appearing in just one playoff game. Murray has missed 30 games in his NFL career.
Despite his injuries and lack of playoff experience, the Minnesota Vikings reportedly could be one of the teams interested in Murray if he hits the open market.
Changes in circumstances make sense for all parties involved. The Vikings may be looking to bring in a new quarterback after being plagued by inconsistency and injuries to JJ McCarthy last season. After a 14-3 season and a playoff berth in 2024, the team is now looking to win. Despite drafting McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in 2024, the Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who had been linked to a trade to select him.
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Justin Jefferson might be the best receiver Murray has played with since DeAndre Hopkins. And Murray gives Jefferson a veteran quarterback after playing with three quarterbacks last season.
The Cardinals could also move on from Murray and acquire a quarterback who better fits new head coach Mike LaFleur’s system. Arizona has reportedly been linked to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who played under LaFleur with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
If the Cardinals don’t waive Murray, or if Murray signs with another team, the Vikings could reportedly target veteran quarterback Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins and Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons. Each quarterback is expected to be moved by his team and potentially challenge McCarthy for the starting job.
The Vikings will also reportedly free up cap space after releasing veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave on Sunday.
