The Arizona Cardinals have had a major quarterback controversy on their hands for months. Kyler Murray’s gargantuan contract, paired with his mediocre play, has led to this.
There may be a resolution to this soon with a new coach incoming and a touted college quarterback staying in school.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s decision to stay in school sent shock waves across the NFL. The Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray may have been the ones most benefited by this decision.
How are the Arizona Cardinals Affected?
ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported that since Moore was thought to be the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, teams are going to be more desperate for quarterbacks.
Other than Mendoza, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said there isn’t another clear-cut first-round quarterback in this upcoming draft. Because of this, Kyler Murray’s trade value has increased. But by how much?
“An NFC source believes the starting price for Murray, if Arizona is interested in trading him, could start with a second-round pick,” Weinfuss wrote. “That source believes if the Cardinals can trade Murray, they will.”
A second-round pick would be a great return for Cardinals fans, considering Murray’s injury history and inconsistency throughout his career.
When you mention the fact that Murray was effectively benched in favor of Jacoby Brissett during the 2025 season, it makes the return worth it. Brissett would go 1-11 during the season, losing his final nine games.
“That source compared Murray’s situation with Geno Smith’s when he was traded from Seattle to Las Vegas last March for a third-round pick,” Weinfuss wrote. “The source pointed out that Smith was more consistent during his last season with Seattle than Murray was in his five games with Arizona this season, however, the source added that Murray is a more talented player.”
How Did We Get Here?
Murray was thought to be the franchise’s savior when he was drafted No. 1 overall by coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim. He won offensive rookie of the year in 2019 and then made two consecutive Pro Bowls.
He showcased great athleticism, along with solid throwing ability. From 2019-2021, he rushed for 20 touchdowns and threw for 70 more.
However, injuries inevitably got the best of Murray. He suffered an ankle injury in 2021 that sidelined him for three games and clearly affected him in the Cardinals’ sole playoff appearance since he was drafted.
In 2022, disaster struck. Murray tore his ACL in the middle of the season, ending his season. He would miss the first nine games of the 2023 season and clearly wasn’t himself when he played.
In 2024, Murray bounced back, leading the team to an 8-9 record after a 4-13 record the previous season. Things were looking up for Murray.
Murray would enter the 2025 season as the unquestioned starting quarterback and be on his way out at the end.
During the season, he threw just six touchdowns in five games before a foot injury sidelined him, effectively ending his Cardinals tenure.
If the team gets an early to mid-round draft pick for Murray, carrying a $52.6 million cap hit, it will be enough to clean their hands of the previous regime and start fresh with a new coach.
Kyler Murray’s Trade Value Revealed After College Prospect’s Decision