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Kyler Murray’s time with the Arizona Cardinals is officially over after the team released him at the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
Murray is now a free agent who can talk to any team that might want his services in 2026 and beyond. But it looks like one team is going to pursue the former No. 1 overall pick.
The Minnesota Vikings, despite 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy entering his third season with the club, are the “overwhelming favorite” to sign Murray, according to ESPN.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass in the first half against the Tennessee Titans in Glendale, Arizona, Oct. 5, 2025. (Rick Scuteri/AP)
McCarthy, who sat out his rookie year due to a season-ending preseason injury, got his first taste of regular-season NFL football in 2025. But McCarthy struggled despite posting a 6-4 record in 10 games. Injuries cost him time once again.
With McCarthy’s status uncertain in Minnesota, it appears head coach Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the organization are looking for a veteran to possibly step in while McCarthy develops.
Murray could be the caller after a seven-year rollercoaster ride with Arizona, going 38-48-1 in 87 games. He apologized to Cardinals fans last week and confirmed the team’s intentions to release him despite still owing him $36.8 million in guaranteed money from his five-year, $230.5 million extension he signed through 2022.
ATHLETICS GM ‘ALWAYS OPEN’ TO KYLER MURRAY REUNION AHEAD OF EXPECTED CARDINALS RELEASE
“To everyone who supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote on X. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I’m sorry I let us down. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.
“I’m no stranger to adversity, I’m prepared for what’s next. I trust God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is ahead of me and I look forward to proving it. Goodness.”
Murray, 28, has had an up-and-down NFL career so far, and injuries and inconsistent play have been a story he couldn’t shake despite struggles as he proved why the team loved him as the first overall pick.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Last season, Murray went 2-3 in his five games and threw for six touchdowns and three interceptions before a foot injury sidelined him the rest of the way. Jacoby Brissett, who figures to take over as the team’s starter in the second year of the two-year deal he signed last season with the franchise, took over for Murray and thrived despite what the record said. He threw for a career-high 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
However, the Cardinals finished 3-14 and the franchise went in a different direction, firing head coach Jonathan Gannon. Mike LaFleur, who served as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, is his replacement heading into 2026.
Early in his Cardinals tenure, Murray was a player to build around after making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2020 and 2021, the latter of which he threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 423 yards with five scores on the ground. He also rushed for 819 yards with 11 rushing scores in 2020, a part of his game that made him so electric.
However, injuries have hampered Murray’s career, including a torn ACL in Week 14 of the 2022 season that resulted in him missing nine games in 2023. Then, after a full 17-game season in 2024, he injured a foot.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
With quarterback-needy teams like the Miami Dolphins (Malik Willis) and New York Jets (Geno Smith) already filling out their depth chart earlier this week, the Vikings appear to be the best option if Murray is looking for a fresh start with a chance to make the playoffs.
It’s also worth noting that the Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t have a starting quarterback for next season as they apparently await word on what Aaron Rodgers will do in 2026.
