ESPN’s Graziano believes Kyler Murray could be in extension territory after 2025
The Arizona Cardinals have decisions to make at quarterback upcoming. Is there a chance Kyler Murray could be asking for an extension?
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Regardless of how 2025 unfolds, the Arizona Cardinals will have a tough task in deciding the future of the quarterback position.
If the Cardinals do well, the quarterback could ask for an extension and more financial security. If they falter, it could be the end of Murray’s tenure — and the end for the coaching staff and front office.
What’s the most likely outcome, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano?
He actually sees a positive outcome for Arizona and its quarterback, who has a single playoff appearance on his six-year NFL resume.
The Cardinals have a good enough season, maybe even contend for or snag a playoff spot, and stay the course with Murray through at least 2026. If Murray plays well enough, he could be in position to ask for an extension that offers him more security than his current deal.
Murray has about $40 million in guarantees for the 2026 season, according to Graziano, and that makes him likely to remain in place at the very least.
A long shot, and least optimistic, outcome is that the 2025 season completely collapses and Murray, along with the front office and coaching staff, are all gone. All that would put the Cardinals into contention for a top quarterback prospect in the next draft, a class that includes Texas’ Arch Manning, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt.
If it’s that bad and Arizona wants to cut Murray after the 2025 season, Graziano calculates that Arizona would have to eat about $58 million.
Murray has proven to be an above-adequate starting QB, ranking in the top 10 in QBR last season, but he has failed to live up to the hype of a No. 1 overall pick.
It’s easy to live in the present as an Arizona Cardinals fan. The season opener is around the corner, and expectations for the Cardinals are pointing towards the playoffs or at least a push to the playoffs.
But it’s never too early to start thinking ahead.
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Comments
6 Comments
No need to spend now. But I do think he will.play as well.as petzine coaches
i had hoped to see new wrinkles this year but so far haven't seen much.
It’s way too early and the fact in year 7 we still are on the fence with him tells me to wait to see what he does this year. I don’t need to pay my QB 50 mill/year to throw 15 yd passes to McBride. He’s gotta to show he can be the difference maker when thanksgiving rolls around.
This is a curious topic and a bit premature. The cards are painstakingly following the Lion's rebuild blueprint to a "T" with a sprinkle of Eagle's roster construction (strong offensive line; waves and waves of DTs and Edges; don't worry about Off Ball LBs). It all came together for the Lions in year three when the defensive investment caught up with the offense. On the back of that 12-5 season and an NFCCG appearance, the Lion's extended Goff. I think it is going to take a similar type of season for Monti to extend K1.