Cardinals’ $54.7M Dead Cap Looms As GM Caught In Lie

Ossenfort appeared confident at the podium when pressed about Murray’s future. “I’ve always had a good dialogue with Kyler,” he said. “I’d say last season wasn’t up to what Kyler wanted. It wasn’t up to what any of us wanted as a season as a whole.” Despite that assurance, he simultaneously stated that conversations about Murray’s future happen daily, a claim ESPN’s source directly contradicted by confirming no direct communication has occurred between Murray and his GM since January.

A Season That Fell Apart

Murray’s 2025 campaign unraveled in Week 5 when he suffered a foot injury against the Tennessee Titans, limiting him to just five games. He was placed on injured reserve in early November. Even after becoming eligible to return in December, then-coach Jonathan Gannon announced Murray would not play again. Backup Jacoby Brissett took over, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, yet the Cardinals managed just one win in Brissett’s 12 starts, going 1-11, and finishing a dismal 3-14.

The Contract Ticking Like a Clock

Arizona faces a critical financial deadline. If Murray remains on the active roster on the fifth day of the new league year, approximately March 15, 2026, a $19.5 million base salary for 2027 becomes fully guaranteed. Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022, and his current cap hit sits at $52.6 million. Trading him before June 1 would save the Cardinals $34.7 million against the cap with $17.9 million in dead money, compared to a release penalty of $54.7 million.

Murray Wants a Clean Break

According to Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, Murray’s camp is pushing for an outright release rather than a trade, which would give the quarterback full freedom to choose his next team on the open market. The Cardinals, however, are strongly opposed to absorbing the $54.7 million dead-cap charge a release would trigger. Arizona is actively shopping Murray at the Combine, and a trade, likely returning at least a Day 2 draft pick, remains the preferred outcome for the franchise.

The Frustration Factor

The disconnect between Murray and the Cardinals front office has grown into outright frustration, per multiple reports. The team’s focus at the Combine is heavily centered on moving on from the Murray era, with new head coach Mike LaFleur signaling openness to starting any quarterback available. “I’m open to and welcoming of playing the best quarterback available for the Arizona Cardinals,” LaFleur said. “We’re working through that process and a lot of factors will come into that decision.”

LaFleur’s Respect, but No Commitment

New head coach Mike LaFleur, younger brother of Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, spoke diplomatically about Murray without offering any endorsement of his return. “Murray has always been a challenge,” LaFleur said at the Combine. “I know the defensive coordinators I worked with found it hard to prepare for him. I have a great deal of respect for him as a player.” The carefully chosen words were notably void of any commitment to Murray as the Cardinals’ starter in 2026.

The Jets Connection

The New York Jets have emerged as the most-cited trade destination for Murray. Head coach Aaron Glenn cannot afford another 3-14 season, and new offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s system could offer Murray the freedom he needs to operate effectively. The Jets hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but most analysts expect them to pass on a quarterback with that selection, making a proven veteran arm an attractive option to accelerate their rebuild around receiver Garrett Wilson.

Other Teams in the Mix

Beyond New York, the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, and Los Angeles Rams have all been floated as potential Murray landing spots. The Colts, however, lack significant draft capital after trading their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner, potentially limiting their leverage in trade negotiations. The Browns remain a sleeper option, given their persistent quarterback uncertainty heading into the 2026 season.

What Comes Next

The Cardinals have weeks, not months, to resolve one of the NFL’s most complicated quarterback situations. With the league year set to begin in mid-March, Ossenfort must either complete a trade, execute a release, or formally commit to Murray as Arizona’s starter, a scenario that appears increasingly unlikely. For now, a franchise quarterback and his general manager reportedly aren’t talking, the clock is running, and the entire NFL is watching what happens next in the desert.

Source:
Kyler Murray, Cardinals Haven’t Talked, Rebutting GM.” ESPN, February 24, 2026.
“Kyler Murray Done for ’25, Will Cards Bring Him Back in ’26?” ESPN, December 6, 2025.
“Kyler Murray Hasn’t Spoken to Monti Ossenfort Despite Cardinals GM’s Claim.” New York Post, February 25, 2026.
“How Would a Kyler Murray Trade or Release Impact the Cardinals’ Salary Cap?” Bleacher Report, November 7, 2025.