Add Kyler Murray to the list of quarterbacks who are going to be available this offseason.
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback is considered a ‘likely release’ as free agency nears, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. He added that the release would come if a trade doesn’t materialize, but a last-second deal would be surprising at this point.
It hasn’t been the smoothest tenure in the desert for Murray and the Cardinals, with a divorce feeling inevitable for some time thanks to questions surrounding work ethic, leadership and on-field struggles.
Murray’s future with the Cardinals wasn’t aided by the hiring of Mike LaFleur as the team’s new coach, since the organization seems to be prioritizing a new direction. That was aided by the report that Murray and general manager Monti Ossenfort hadn’t talked since the season concluded, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss on Feb. 24.
Drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray was handed the keys to the organization just one season after they selected Josh Rosen with the No. 10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Murray spent seven seasons with the Cardinals, but it will be a time best defined by its shortcomings.
He started 87 games with Arizona, posting a 38-48-1 record and only making one playoff appearance. He completed 67.1% of passes, throwing 121 touchdowns to 60 interceptions and, of course, was a huge factor with his legs. Murray rushed 532 times for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns as a member of the Cardinals.
The quarterback is one of many veteran options that are considered likely to become available this offseason.
Murray would join a list that could include Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith and others as Arizona appears ready to turn the page as it begins another chapter in its ongoing rebuild.