The Arizona Cardinals, who have been without Kyler Murray for weeks, may look to move on from the $230 million QB.
The Cardinals are moving through the 2025 season without Murray, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in October. Because of the IR designation, the earliest he can return is Week 14 — and with Arizona falling to 3–8 after their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team may have little at stake by then.
Veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett has taken over as the starter in Murray’s absence. Brissett has recorded 11 touchdown passes and three interceptions, completing 66.8% of his throws with a 97.0 passer rating. Murray, by comparison, has six touchdowns, three interceptions, a 68.3% completion rate, and an 88.6 passer rating.
Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension in 2022, while Brissett joined the Cardinals this offseason on a two-year, $12.5 million deal as a backup.
A Fresh Start for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals Could be What’s Needed
Tyrann Mathieu, a former three-time All-Pro safety and Super Bowl champion who began his career with the Cardinals in 2013 and spent five seasons with the team — says it might be best for both Murray and Arizona to get a fresh start this offseason.
“It’s a lot of money that’s being thrown around to these quarterbacks, and I think at the end of the day, it’s all about wins and losses,” Mathieu told D.J. Siddiqi of CasinoBeats in an exclusive interview. “I think, a lot of times it’s not a bad thing to start over or restart, go somewhere else to get a fresh breath. I think Kyler may need that, I think the Cardinals may need that. It’s a lot of money they’re paying him.”
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 08: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“I think Kyler is still very much talented,” Mathieu added. “I think he’s still a really good quarterback, but I think both (sides) are looking for different situations. I think Kyler is probably wanting to go to a team that has a little bit more help, structured a little better. I think with the Cardinals, they want to find guys that want to be there. It’s a long road ahead, but I think at some point these two will probably go their separate ways.”
Kyler Murray a Good Fit with the Miami Dolphins, Mathieu Says
When asked which team might be a strong schematic fit for Murray, Mathieu pointed to the Miami Dolphins.
Miami boasts an impressive group of playmakers in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane and Darren Waller.
The challenge, however, is the Dolphins’ significant financial commitment to their current franchise quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who has had his own struggles this year. Miami signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million deal before the 2024 season, making any move away from him difficult.
Even so, Mathieu believes Murray would be an excellent fit in Miami.
“He’s so dynamic,” said Mathieu of Murray. “I think at the quarterback position, it’s hard to find those guys that can kind of do it all. For him, a great team, I can see him with Miami, one of those types of teams. Those relationships are kind of hard to judge sometimes because I don’t know what Kyler particularly needs, but I think a change of scenery is for sure needed.”
“Yeah, absolutely,” said Mathieu about whether he can see Murray having a revival elsewhere. “It’s all about the coach, too. I think in this league, the team that they have, the head coach and the quarterback have a great relationship. Those teams are usually the most successful, and you really want to see him go to a team that really believes in him, that understands him.”
Both Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon and Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel could be at risk of losing their jobs at the end of the season.
Kyler Murray Trade to Miami Dolphins is Good Fit, All-Pro Safety Says