TEMPE, Ariz. — The Kyler Murray era in the desert is officially over. After a brutal 3-14 campaign in 2025 that saw the former No. 1 overall pick sidelined for all but five games, the Arizona Cardinals are cleaning house. Barring a miraculous 11th-hour trade, the front office will release their franchise star when the 2026 league year opens on March 11. Now, all eyes turn to new head coach Mike LaFleur, who urgently needs a reliable Arizona Cardinals quarterback to run his system. The loudest whisper in league circles? A reunion with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo.
Murray’s tenure ends not with a parade, but with a massive financial headache. The Cardinals will swallow a staggering $55 million dead cap hit to move on. They owe Murray $36.8 million guaranteed for 2026, but cutting him now saves the franchise from triggering another wave of guarantees in 2027. You could feel the tension building around the facility for months; the relationship simply ran its course as injuries mounted.
Then there is Jacoby Brissett. The veteran stepped in after Murray’s mid-foot sprain and played admirable football. Brissett didn’t just manage the game; he fired 23 touchdowns and threw for 3,366 yards against just 8 interceptions in his 12 starts. Despite his highly efficient play, the team stumbled to a miserable 1-11 record under his command. Brissett holds a cheap $4.8 million base salary for the upcoming season. Reports indicate the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons are actively exploring trades for him. Moving Brissett gives LaFleur a completely blank slate to draft a rookie at No. 3 overall and sign a veteran bridge.
“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 am no stranger to adversity. I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic.”
— Kyler Murray, Former Cardinals Quarterback
Arizona sits in the basement of the ultra-competitive NFC West. LaFleur arrives fresh off a phenomenal run as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, where his unit averaged nearly 400 yards and 30 points per game. He needs a signal-caller who speaks his language from day one. Enter Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo spent last season backing up Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles. He knows LaFleur’s playbook inside and out. In his lone start during the 2025 regular-season finale, Garoppolo shredded the defense for 334 passing yards and two touchdowns. He boasts a career 43-21 record as a starter. While he lacks Murray’s explosive athleticism, Garoppolo operates on time and limits disastrous mistakes.
Spotrac projects the 34-year-old to command a highly affordable one-year, $2.3 million contract. Signing Garoppolo allows the Cardinals to invest their premium draft capital into elite playmakers while letting a seasoned veteran manage the huddle. The NFC West is unforgiving, but installing a quarterback who already masters the scheme gives Arizona a fighting chance to climb out of the cellar.
