NEWYou can now hearken to Fox News articles!
Kyler Murray’s time with the Arizona Cardinals is formally over after the workforce released him at the beginning of the brand new league yr Wednesday.
Murray is now a free agent who can converse with any workforce who might want his providers in 2026 and past. But it appears like one workforce goes to be closely pursuing the previous No. 1 total decide.
The Minnesota Vikings, regardless of having 2024 first-round decide J.J. McCarthy coming into his third season with the membership, are the “overwhelming favorite” to signal Murray, according to ESPN.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a move through the first half towards the Tennessee Titans in Glendale, Ariz., Oct. 5, 2025. (Rick Scuteri/AP)
McCarthy, who didn’t play his rookie yr as a consequence of a season-ending harm within the preseason, bought his first style of regular-season NFL soccer in 2025. But McCarthy struggled regardless of a 6-4 report in 10 video games. Injuries price him time but once more.
With McCarthy’s standing unsure in Minnesota, it seems head coach Kevin O’Connell and the remainder of the group are on the lookout for a veteran who might probably step in whereas McCarthy develops.
Murray may very well be that signal-caller after a roller-coaster seven-year tenure with Arizona, going 38-48-1 in 87 video games. He apologized to Cardinals followers final week, confirming the workforce’s intentions to launch him regardless of nonetheless owing him $36.8 million in assured cash from his five-year, $230.5 million extension he signed in 2022.
ATHLETICS GM ‘ALWAYS OPEN’ TO KYLER MURRAY REUNION AHEAD OF EXPECTED CARDINALS RELEASE
“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote on X. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.
“I’m no stranger to adversity, I’m ready for no matter’s subsequent. I belief in God and my work ethic. I actually consider my greatest ball is in entrance of me and I look ahead to proving it. Godspeed.”
Murray, 28, has had an up-and-down NFL career thus far, and injuries and inconsistent play have been a storyline he couldn’t shake despite games when he proved why the team loved him as the first overall pick.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Last season, Murray went 2-3 in his five games, throwing for six touchdowns and three interceptions before a foot injury knocked him out the rest of the way. Jacoby Brissett, who figures to take over as the team’s starter in the second year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason with the franchise, took over for Murray and thrived despite what the record said. He threw for a career-high 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The Cardinals, though, finished 3-14, and the franchise went in a different direction and fired head coach Jonathan Gannon. Mike LaFleur, who served as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, is his replacement heading into 2026.
Early in his Cardinals tenure, Murray was a player to build around after making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2020 and 2021, the latter of which he threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 423 yards with five scores on the ground. He also rushed for 819 yards with 11 rushing scores in 2020, a part of his game that made him so electric.
Injuries, though, have hampered Murray’s career, including a torn ACL in Week 14 of the 2022 season that resulted in him missing nine games in 2023. Then, after a full 17-game season in 2024, he injured a foot.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up earlier than a recreation towards the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
With quarterback-needy groups just like the Miami Dolphins (Malik Willis) and New York Jets (Geno Smith) already filling their depth chart earlier this week, the Vikings seem to be the best option if Murray is looking for a fresh start with a chance to make the playoffs.
It’s also worth noting the Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t have a starting quarterback for next season as they seemingly await word on what Aaron Rodgers wants to do in 2026.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports activities protection on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
