Cardinals to Release Kyler Murray Ahead of Contract Deadline

Phoenix, Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
The Arizona Cardinals are officially ending the Kyler Murray era after seven seasons, informing the former first overall pick of his pending release to avoid a looming $19.5 million contract guarantee for 2027. While Murray’s tenure concludes with a 38-48-1 record and recent injury struggles, the move is driven by salary cap management ahead of the new league year. The most compelling aspect of this transaction is the financial offset: Arizona remains liable for Murray’s fully guaranteed $36.8 million salary for 2026. This unique structure allows Murray to sign a league-minimum deal with a new contender while still collecting his full paycheck, effectively making him a high-value, low-risk acquisition for his next team.