Cardinals have seemingly made Kyler Murray decision after hiring of Mike LaFleur

Shortly after the Arizona Cardinals introduced former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their new head coach, LaFleur confirmed that he had spoken with Arizona 2025 Week 1 starting quarterback Kyler Murray.

It appears the nature of that conversation may now be known. 

New Cardinals staff ready to move on from Kyler Murray?

On Sunday afternoon, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo (h/t Bobby Kownack) reported that the Cardinals are "likely to move on from Kyler Murray this offseason." 

"If Arizona decides to cut him, the team will accrue $54.7M in dead money," the NFL Network reporters said about Murray. "A post-June 1 designation would knock that number down to $47.5M in dead money. While a trade would greatly diminish Arizona's dead money number ($17.9M pre-June 1; $10.7M post-June 1), Rapoport added that the best-case scenario for Murray is obviously becoming a free agent and choosing his destination."

A previous Cardinals regime made Murray the first overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he has performed like a legitimate franchise quarterback during portions of his career. However, he has zero postseason wins on his resume, and he made just five starts this season before he was shut down due to a foot injury. 

Additionally, multiple stories have emerged over the years detailing how Murray allegedly hasn't always been the most popular figure inside the Arizona locker room. Just last week, one of his former teammates reportedly warned other teams that they "don't want Kyler Murray as your quarterback."

What clubs could take a flier on Kyler Murray?

For a piece posted early Monday morning, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggested that the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings are among the teams that could possibly be interested in taking a flier on a quarterback such as Murray if he becomes available after the new league year officially opens on March 11. 

As for the Cardinals, veteran Jacoby Brissett ended this season as their QB1 and is under contract for the 2026 campaign. It's unclear if LaFleur and Co. will look to acquire an upgrade at the position via free agency, a trade and/or the upcoming draft.