Kyler Murray’s time with the Cardinals may be coming to a crossroads

Murray, once a No. 1 overall pick, hasn’t truly found himself in a stable position with the Cardinals since. With talent many teams would want, Kyler Murray may be nearing the end of his time in Arizona and his next start could be a make-or-break performance for him.

After missing last Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, Murray was filled in by Jacoby Brissett. Brissett had a surprising performance, completing 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Many viewed his performance as one that earned him the start over Murray. The starting quarterback hasn’t thrown for 300 yards in a game since Dec. 28, 2024, against the Los Angeles Rams.

The quarterback isn’t necessarily a “failure,” far from it. For six years, Murray has tried his best to figure out his offense and after going through several leadership changes within the organization, nothing has been able to stick for him.

While fans will criticize him for decisions on the field, it’s really coming down to Murray not being the centerpiece of the team. Much of the offense hasn’t been catered to him, and after missing time over the last several seasons due to injury, it’s looking less like he will truly find a rhythm in the desert.

Arizona has the chance to hit a reset in the 2026 NFL Draft and find a new arm that could better fit the team. This would be a new start, with cap room and an identity that can be molded.

The Cardinals don’t need to move on from Murray right now, but they should start having conversations about where he stands at this point in his career with the team. Stalling will only work for so long and it’s not a strategy built for long-term success.

As the face of the franchise, Murray was once regarded as a blueprint for a modern quarterback with his faster rushing abilities. His popularity dates back to his college years, when he won the Heisman Trophy. Everyone knows who he is and that’s precisely why Murray is drawing so much attention for his lack of connection with the team.

Fans are split. While some want to see him succeed and give him more chances, others are ready to move on. Arizona needs to decide which road to take, as all eyes will be on its decision and where Murray may end up if the team does move on.

Murray, who once helped lead the Cardinals back to the mainstream, hasn’t been the player the team has needed in recent years. Like anything else, if something isn’t working, it needs to be fixed.

A lot has changed in Arizona over the years; Maybe the starting quarterback should change, too.