Kyler Murray prefers to be cut by Cardinals, per report

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray prefers a release from the franchise, according to Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano and Henry McKenna.

Vacchiano and McKenna add Murray’s camp “feels he’ll be the top QB on the market if he hits free agency.”

Murray’s camp would prefer the Cardinals cut him, so the quarterback can enter free agency, per a league source. The QB’s camp is set to meet with the team this week in Indianapolis, but they don’t expect an answer on his future from Arizona.

The latest reporting comes after general manager Monti Ossenfort told reporters all options are on the table when it comes to Arizona’s quarterback situation and that he’s had good dialogue with Murray.

An ESPN story was published soon after, with a source disputing the two sides have remained in communication since the season ended.

The split between Murray and the Cardinals, who Vacchiano and McKenna report are “frustrated” with the signal caller, seems inevitable given the optics.

There are questions about his work ethic, which have dogged him in Arizona for years. His quiet personality has also raised concerns about his leadership.

But in Arizona, the team is concerned that he will no longer be the same player he was before his ACL tear in 2022, especially after a sprained foot cost him 12 more games last season. His mobility is “shot,” the source said, and Murray doesn’t appear suited to transition into a pure pocket passer, either. If he’s unwilling or unable to run, he likely can’t be as effective as he once was.

How it happens is the bigger question at this point.

A trade would at the very least give the Cardinals some dead money relief — $17.9 million in dead money with a pre-June 1 trade and $10.7 million post-June 1 — and would net some sort of late-round draft capital for the former franchise QB. Arizona would also have a say in where Murray lands.

A pre-June 1 release, however, would bring a $54.7 million dead money hit for Arizona. A post-June 1 designation would mean $47.5 million in dead money but spread out across two seasons, according to OverTheCap.

The Cardinals also must make a decision in the next couple of weeks.

If Murray is still on Arizona’s roster on the fifth day of the new league year (March 15), $19.5 million becomes guaranteed for 2027.

The signal caller is coming off an abbreviated season where he appeared in just five games before suffering a midfoot sprain in a loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 5.

Despite getting back on the practice field for a short time, Murray never returned to the starting lineup, with Arizona opting for backup Jacoby Brissett the rest of the way.

The offensive production took a step forward under Brissett. The wins remained at a premium, though, with Brissett winning one fewer game (one) than Murray (two) across 12 games.

Brissett is in the mix to take the reins of the Cardinals’ starting job in 2026. Arizona could also supplement the position through the NFL Draft or free agency.

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