The Kyler Murray era in Arizona is officially over. On March 3, 2026, the Arizona Cardinals informed their former No. 1 overall pick that he will be released on March 11 — the first day of the new NFL league year — barring a trade before then. Murray, a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, spent seven seasons in the desert without ever reaching the heights both he and the organization had envisioned.
The move had been anticipated for weeks, but the confirmation still landed with weight. Murray took to social media shortly after the news broke, posting a farewell message to Cardinals fans that was equal parts gracious and gutting. He expressed regret for not delivering a championship to a franchise that had gone 77 years without one, while making clear that he believes his best football is still ahead of him.
Sources: Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they intend to release him on the first day of the league year next Wednesday, barring a trade between now and then.
Arizona already owes him $36.8M guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5M would have triggered on March 15 for… pic.twitter.com/AT5oLDnr5L
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
Why the Cardinals Moved On From Murray
The decision to release Murray was not made lightly, but it was made decisively. Arizona finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record, and Murray played just five games before landing on injured reserve with a midfoot sprain. Jacoby Brissett stepped in and showed flashes, finishing with 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns — though he went just 1-11 as a starter.
Murray’s contract had become a significant factor. He was already guaranteed $36.8 million for the 2026 season. Had the Cardinals kept him on the roster past March 15, another $19.5 million in guaranteed money for 2027 would have triggered automatically. With new head coach Mike LaFleur coming in to rebuild the culture, the organization chose to cut the cord and absorb the financial hit rather than remain locked into a quarterback whose health and future were uncertain.
The release does not come cheap. Arizona carries a dead cap charge of approximately $54.7 million — meaning the Cardinals will actually lose cap space on the move. The team enters free agency with roughly $28.7 million in available cap room.
Murray’s Legacy in the Desert
Drafted first overall out of Oklahoma in 2019, Kyler Murray arrived in Arizona as a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most electric dual-threat talents the league had ever seen. The expectations were enormous — and for a brief stretch, he delivered on them.
His best season came in 2021, when he threw for 3,787 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions while guiding the Cardinals to an 11-2 start and their first playoff appearance in years. He made two consecutive Pro Bowls and proved he could operate at an elite level when healthy and supported.
But injuries became a defining storyline. Murray tore his ACL in December 2022 and was never quite the same explosive force afterward. Over his seven seasons, his final stat line reads
- 38-48-1 regular season record as a starter
- 20,460 passing yards and 121 touchdowns
- 60 interceptions and a 67.1 completion percentage
- Two Pro Bowl selections (2020, 2021)
- One playoff appearance — a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021
What Comes Next for Murray
Despite the disappointing ending in Arizona, Murray enters free agency as one of the most intriguing quarterbacks on the market. Because Arizona is already on the hook for his $36.8 million guarantee, he can sign with a new team for the veteran minimum — making him an extremely cost-efficient option for any contender in need of a quarterback.
Teams already drawing attention as potential landing spots include the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets. Murray‘s dual-threat ability and still-young age make him an attractive gamble for a team one quarterback away from competing.
Murray himself made his mindset clear in his farewell post. He is not done. He is not broken. He is ready.
Kyler Murray and the NFL Franchise Tag Deadline
Murray‘s release was not the only significant roster move on March 3. The NFL’s franchise tag deadline produced a wave of decisions across the league that will reshape the 2026 free agent class. Key developments from the deadline include:
- The Indianapolis Colts placed the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, keeping him in play but allowing competing offers
- The New York Jets placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on running back Breece Hall
- The Seattle Seahawks declined to tag running back Kenneth Walker III, making him a free agent
- The Cincinnati Bengals chose not to tag pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, one of the most dominant defensive ends in the league
- Wide receiver Alec Pierce is set to hit free agency after no tag was placed on him
- Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman announced his retirement after five NFL seasons
The Bengals’ decision not to tag Hendrickson is among the most stunning of the deadline. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hendrickson was one of the best pass rushers in football in 2025 and will command massive interest when free agency opens.
A New Chapter Begins
For Kyler Murray, March 3, 2026 is not an ending — it is a reset. The same resilience that carried him through a torn ACL, a turbulent coaching carousel, and back-to-back losing seasons will be the thing that defines what comes next. He is 28 years old. He has the arm talent, the legs, and the competitive drive to be a difference-maker for the right organization.
The NFL is a league of second acts. Russell Wilson reinvented himself in Pittsburgh. Baker Mayfield found new life in Tampa. The door is wide open for him to write a new story — and based on everything he said in his farewell post, he has every intention of doing exactly that.
