Cardinals reportedly learned harsh 'realities' about Kyler Murray situation during combine

Numerous reports have indicated that the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray are in the middle of what has become at least somewhat of an ugly divorce that will be finalized at some point after the new league year opens on March 11. 

Arizona signed Murray to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $230.5M with $160M guaranteed in the summer of 2022. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort understandably would prefer to get something back in return for Murray's services, but it sounds like Ossenfort received some bad news about those wishes while speaking with other teams at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

Kyler Murray may "win" Cardinals divorce

"There are a few realities to this situation," NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared about the Cardinals-Murray saga for a piece published on Monday. "The first is that the Cardinals aren’t finding a trade suitor who will take on the contract, because trading for him would mean the 2027 money vests, essentially making this a two-year commitment to Murray at nearly $79M for another team. The second is that Arizona is the only party that would benefit from a trade agreement being negotiated differently. The third is to adjust the contract, with Murray’s approval, which would give Murray the hammer."

Eyebrows were raised when "a source" claimed last week that Murray and Ossenfort had not "talked since" the 2025 season ended. A subsequent report detailed how the Cardinals have had "questions" about Murray's "work ethic" and "leadership" for years. 

Additionally, Murray made just five starts this past season before he was shut down due to a foot issue. Back in December 2022, he suffered an injury that left him needing ACL surgery and some meniscus repair. 

Despite concerns about what he may and/or may not be at this stage of his career, it appears that the Minnesota Vikings have some interest in starting the 28-year-old over often-criticized 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota may not have to give up anything to sign Murray later in March. 

Kyler Murray likely knows "best move" to receive fresh start

"If Murray has the hammer, the best move for him is to force Arizona to cut him," Breer continued. "In that case, the Cardinals would be on the hook for $36.8M, while saving nearly $6M for this year and avoiding the 2027 guarantees. Presuming another team isn’t giving Murray more than that (a fair presumption), then Murray can do what Russell Wilson did in 2024 and sign elsewhere for the minimum, while handing the rest of the bill back to the Cardinals. From there, with the financial component out of the way, Murray can make his call on a 2026 destination a pure football decision, which is best for him."

Murray tallied zero playoff wins during his Arizona tenure that began when the club made him the first overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, he could be viewed as an inexpensive lottery-ticket option for a team such as the Vikings unless Ossenfort can work some magic regarding a trade over the next week.