Kyler Murray’s Departure from Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray’s era with the Arizona Cardinals has come to an end as the team officially released him at the start of the new league year on Wednesday.

He is now a free agent and able to engage with other teams interested in him up until 2026. Interestingly, the Minnesota Vikings seem to be leading the charge to sign the former top draft pick, despite their current quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, just entering his third season with the team.

As per reports, the Vikings are considered the “overwhelming favorite” to secure Murray’s services moving forward.

McCarthy, who was sidelined during his rookie year with an injury, got a chance to play in the 2025 season but didn’t perform as well as expected, finishing with a 6-4 record. He has faced his fair share of challenges due to injuries, leading to uncertainty about his role going forward. It seems that head coach Kevin O’Connell and the organization are keen on bringing in a seasoned player to complement McCarthy’s development.

This could very well pave the way for Murray to take the reins after a tumultuous seven years in Arizona, where he ended up with a 38-48-1 record across 87 games. Notably, he recently expressed his gratitude to fans and acknowledged the team’s decision to part ways with him, despite still being owed $36.8 million from his contract extension signed in 2022.

Murray conveyed his feelings on social media, thanking those who supported him during his time in Arizona and expressed his disappointment at not being able to help end the franchise’s long-standing woes. He mentioned, “I’m used to adversity,” underscoring his belief that his best days are ahead of him.

At 28, Murray’s NFL journey has been a mixed bag so far—marred by injuries and inconsistent performances, yet he still showcased talent that made him a coveted first pick. In the last season, he played five games, securing two wins and throwing for six touchdowns before a foot injury ended his season early. Jacoby Brissett took over as the starter and managed to perform well, leading to the Cardinals’ decision to fire head coach Jonathan Gannon and look for new leadership as they move into 2026.

Murray enjoyed a promising start to his career, making back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances in 2020 and 2021, accumulating impressive stats, including nearly 4,000 passing yards in his second season. Yet, injuries—including a torn ACL and a foot injury—have limited his playtime in recent years.

As of now, with several teams already filling their quarterback positions, the Vikings might present Murray with the best opportunity for a fresh start and a shot at playoff contention. The Pittsburgh Steelers, too, are still searching for a starting quarterback and appear to be waiting on Aaron Rodgers’ plans for next season.