Cardinals Release Kyler Murray, Ending Turbulent Era
Kyler Murray has been released by the Arizona Cardinals, ending his tumultuous tenure marked by injuries and team frustrations.
Kyler Murray's time in Arizona is over. The quarterback will be released by the Arizona Cardinals when the new NFL league year begins on March 11, Murray confirmed Tuesday in a social media post.
"To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best."
A Mutual Parting
The split ends months of speculation. The Cardinals had grown "frustrated" with Murray, according to a team source, while Murray's camp actively sought a release. The quarterback was owed $36.8 million in guaranteed money, making the move costly but apparently necessary for both sides.
"I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever's next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed."
A Derailed Season
Murray's final year in Arizona was a disaster. He appeared in just five games, throwing for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions before suffering a foot injury against the Tennessee Titans.
What management initially expected to be a brief absence became season-ending. Backup Jacoby Brissett played well in Murray's place, creating an awkward quarterback controversy as the Cardinals spiraled to a 3-14 record. The team fired coach Jonathan Gannon in the aftermath.
The Rise and Fall
Murray arrived in Arizona as a franchise savior. The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma became the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and provided electric moments, including the celebrated "Hail Murray"—a game-winning touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins against the Buffalo Bills in 2020.
The pinnacle came in 2021, when the Cardinals surged to 10-2 by early December. But Arizona collapsed down the stretch, losing four of their final five games before getting routed 34-11 by the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.
It was downhill from there.
