While it’s not official from the NFL yet, the Kyler Murray era with the Arizona Cardinals is coming to an end. According to multiple reports, Murray was told he would be released at the start of the new season.
Murray himself also posted a farewell message on social media.
This means that once the move becomes official, he will become a free agent and potentially become one of the most popular quarterbacks on the market.
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The Cardinals will be responsible for the $36.8 million in guaranteed money he is owed in 2026 (and has been offset). He can sign with a team for the league minimum ($1.3 million based on his level of experience in the league), with the Cardinals paying the remaining $35.5 million.
Cardinals and the salary cap
There are cap issues as Murray is about to be released.
A reporter posted on X that the Cardinals won’t be able to release him until the New Year “due to league rules.” This is only the case if they intend to use a name after June 1st.
Since guarantees and previously paid bonuses don’t count immediately against the salary cap, they must account for $54.7 million in dead money. Since his contract currently carries a cap hit of about $52.7 million, an immediate release would cause them to lose about $2 million in cap space to make up for dead money.
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By releasing him next week of the new season and designating him for cut after June 1, they can spread the dead money over two seasons.
They’ll retain the $52.7 million in cap hit he carries until June 2 and will then gain about $5.1 million in cap space and carry $47.5 million in dead money. By 2027, they will have $7.2 million in dead money from remaining prorated bonuses.
What’s next for Kyler Murray?
Murray will be the best quarterback. The teams that make the most sense are as follows:
How is the Cardinals quarterback doing now?
After Murray was released, Jacoby Brissett and Kayden Slovis are the remaining quarterbacks on the roster. If Brissett stays, we can expect the Cardinals to sign a free agent and perhaps draft one.
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Brissett could be traded. Two teams are reportedly interested. His contract and performance last season make him highly susceptible to being traded. In this scenario, the Cardinals could sign two players and draft another.
Players to watch in free agency include Malik Willis and Jimmy Garoppolo, while quarterbacks expected to be waived like Murray of the Cardinals could also include Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins and Tua Tagovailoa.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Kyler Murray to be waived by Arizona Cardinals, will become a free agent