Insider details Cardinals' plans for Kyler Murray
In the driver's seat for a top-three pick in the 2024 NFL draft and an opportunity to select a blue-chip quarterback prospect, the Arizona Cardinals remain committed to Kyler Murray.
According to NFL reporter Jay Glazer, the former No. 1 overall pick remains firmly entrenched as Arizona's long-term answer under center.
"I know a lot of people thought, you know what, they’re going to move on from him," Glazer said on Fox NFL Sunday. "Try and draft a Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the first round of next year’s draft. That’s not the case. They actually still want to build around Kyler Murray."
Murray, 26, returned to practice ahead of the Cardinals Week 7 contest with the Seattle Seahawks — which Arizona lost 20-10, dropping their record to 1-6 on the season.
Designating Murray to return from the PUP list triggered a 21-day practice window for the Cardinals to decide whether to activate the quarterback or shut him down for the remainder of the season. By the sound of it, Arizona is leaning toward the former, as Glazer noted that Murray took first-team reps during the week leading up to their NFC West showdown.
As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday, the Cardinals would be taking a financial risk if they play Murray this season. Returning from a torn ACL sustained in December, Murray has $29.9 million in salary compensation for the 2025 season that would become fully guaranteed if he's unable to pass a physical in March.
From the Cardinals perspective, the only way to ensure they are not on the hook for Murray's 2025 salary would be to sit the quarterback for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, allowing the new coaching staff in Arizona to get an up-close look at Murray over the final half of the season clearly outweighs the potential risk.
Playing Murray also gives potential trade suitors an opportunity to see if the former Heisman winner is fully healthy and back to his pre-injury Pro Bowl form. Arizona already owns two projected top-16 picks in April's draft. If Murray shows well in his return to action, he'd likely garner a first-round selection (and more) in return should the Cardinals opt to move off him this offseason.
Murray inked a five-year extension with Arizona in July 2022 and still has five years and approximately $182 million left on his contract.
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