Kyler Murray Debacle Thread

[TheCardFan]

There are 3 options with Kyler in 2026:

1) Keep him and give it one more year/get more cap relief in 2027 (when you draft a rookie QB) - 50% odds IMO
2) Cut him - I don't see this happening
3) Trade him - 50% odds IMO

It's a weak QB draft and FA group this year.
Teams like Atlanta, Minnesota, and Indy missed the playoffs but have the talent, except for QB to be a playoff contender in 2026.
All three have to do something - you can't run it back with McCarthy, Daniel Jones is out for 2026, and Penix is out for 2026 as well.

Indy - Has zero QB's on roster. Based on the K1 tweet, he and Gannon are tight. Gannon and Steichen are tight. Steichen can build an offense around him with a very strong running game.

Atlanta and Minny - both have young QB's that have been injured. You can't put your entire team/season at risk by counting on them again in 2026. They need a veteran.
Minny has a strong offensive coach that could build a system for Kyler.
Atlanta - TBD on coaching but they also have a very strong running game that can be built around Kyler.

These are the three teams that will be desperate for a guy like Kyler.

*Wouldn't be surprised to see Cousins get cut from Atlanta and end up in Minnesota.

 

[kerouac9]

There are 3 options with Kyler in 2026:

1) Keep him and give it one more year/get more cap relief in 2027 (when you draft a rookie QB) - 50% odds IMO
2) Cut him - I don't see this happening
3) Trade him - 50% odds IMO

It's a weak QB draft and FA group this year.
Teams like Atlanta, Minnesota, and Indy missed the playoffs but have the talent, except for QB to be a playoff contender in 2026.
All three have to do something - you can't run it back with McCarthy, Daniel Jones is out for 2026, and Penix is out for 2026 as well.

Indy - Has zero QB's on roster. Based on the K1 tweet, he and Gannon are tight. Gannon and Steichen are tight. Steichen can build an offense around him with a very strong running game.

Atlanta and Minny - both have young QB's that have been injured. You can't put your entire team/season at risk by counting on them again in 2026. They need a veteran.
Minny has a strong offensive coach that could build a system for Kyler.
Atlanta - TBD on coaching but they also have a very strong running game that can be built around Kyler.

These are the three teams that will be desperate for a guy like Kyler.

*Wouldn't be surprised to see Cousins get cut from Atlanta and end up in Minnesota.

Lots of cope here

 

[602 Native]

This is your daily reminder that K1 will be playing for another team next season.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

This is your daily reminder that K1 will be playing for another team next season.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Brian in Mesa]

This is your daily reminder that K1 will be playing for another team next season.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Dback Jon]

Lots of cope here

Wrong - pretty solid analysis.

 

[kerouac9]

Wrong - pretty solid analysis.

Nah. Partly because a solid analysis would include those teams’ best willingness and ability to pay Kyler on his current deal on or before March 22 when his full 2026 salary becomes guaranteed along with $17 million of his 2027 salary.

Theres a category where Kyler gets traded and we pay some or most of his 2026 salary, but to me that’s more like releasing him.

 

[slanidrac16]

There are 3 options with Kyler in 2026:

1) Keep him and give it one more year/get more cap relief in 2027 (when you draft a rookie QB) - 50% odds IMO
2) Cut him - I don't see this happening
3) Trade him - 50% odds IMO

It's a weak QB draft and FA group this year.
Teams like Atlanta, Minnesota, and Indy missed the playoffs but have the talent, except for QB to be a playoff contender in 2026.
All three have to do something - you can't run it back with McCarthy, Daniel Jones is out for 2026, and Penix is out for 2026 as well.

Indy - Has zero QB's on roster. Based on the K1 tweet, he and Gannon are tight. Gannon and Steichen are tight. Steichen can build an offense around him with a very strong running game.

Atlanta and Minny - both have young QB's that have been injured. You can't put your entire team/season at risk by counting on them again in 2026. They need a veteran.
Minny has a strong offensive coach that could build a system for Kyler.
Atlanta - TBD on coaching but they also have a very strong running game that can be built around Kyler.

These are the three teams that will be desperate for a guy like Kyler.

*Wouldn't be surprised to see Cousins get cut from Atlanta and end up in Minnesota.

Those 3 teams will pony up to get Murray. Atlanta seems a perfect fit. Mainly because they’re as dysfunctional as us.
The Colts are set up to win now and might be desperate.
The Vikings are a little less desperate and it would be interesting to see how long it would take to piss off Jefferson.

 

[Dback Jon]

Nah. Partly because a solid analysis would include those teams’ best willingness and ability to pay Kyler on his current deal on or before March 22 when his full 2026 salary becomes guaranteed along with $17 million of his 2027 salary.

Theres a category where Kyler gets traded and we pay some or most of his 2026 salary, but to me that’s more like releasing him.

Salary and what the Cardinals pay certainly do play into it, but as far as identifying teams that need QB's, especially as a one year bridge, that was the point of the post.

 

[Ronin]

Insider: Don’t Count Kyler Murray Out of Cardinals’ Future Just Yet

The Arizona Cardinals could see Kyler Murray return in 2026.

www.si.com

 

[WisconsinCard]

It's tough for me to come up with any team willing to give up much draft capital to inherit that contract.

 

[kerouac9]

It's tough for me to come up with any team willing to give up much draft capital to inherit that contract.

Yup. There are other options out there probably more appetizing in cost-adjusted terms than Kyler.

Trading a mid-round pick for Mac Jones
Signing Snoop Huntley
Signing Malik Willis
Signing Kirk Cousins
Signing Russ Wilson
Signing Aaron Rodgers
Trading for Geno Smith

This thread is gonna be on fire with posts from random fan sites asking if Kyler Murray might be an option for their team. This is #content for SEO purposes.

According to OverTheCap, the deadline to modify contracts to take advantage of June 1 rules already passed. This means that either the cards wanted to keep their options open for Murray to come back or have no intention to release him with a June 1 designation.

It’ll be real clear what teams (if any) are pursuing Kyler because they’ll have lots of cap space opened between the start of free agency and March 22.

I’d say the likely possibilities are Kyler:

Gets traded with his current contract (5%)
Gets traded with a modified contract where the Cards pay more than 50% of his guaranteed 2026 salary (10%)
Plays for the Cards in ‘26 (10%)
Gets cut (75%)

 

[slanidrac16]

Yup. There are other options out there probably more appetizing in cost-adjusted terms than Kyler.

Trading a mid-round pick for Mac Jones
Signing Snoop Huntley
Signing Malik Willis
Signing Kirk Cousins
Signing Russ Wilson
Signing Aaron Rodgers
Trading for Geno Smith

This thread is gonna be on fire with posts from random fan sites asking if Kyler Murray might be an option for their team. This is #content for SEO purposes.

According to OverTheCap, the deadline to modify contracts to take advantage of June 1 rules already passed. This means that either the cards wanted to keep their options open for Murray to come back or have no intention to release him with a June 1 designation.

It’ll be real clear what teams (if any) are pursuing Kyler because they’ll have lots of cap space opened between the start of free agency and March 22.

I’d say the likely possibilities are Kyler:

Gets traded with his current contract (5%)
Gets traded with a modified contract where the Cards pay more than 50% of his guaranteed 2026 salary (10%)
Plays for the Cards in ‘26 (10%)
Gets cut (75%)

There are enough teams that would have to compete for Kyler’s services. That’s good for us. To secure his services they will have to bid for him.

 

[Dback Jon]

Yup. There are other options out there probably more appetizing in cost-adjusted terms than Kyler.

Trading a mid-round pick for Mac Jones
Signing Snoop Huntley
Signing Malik Willis
Signing Kirk Cousins
Signing Russ Wilson
Signing Aaron Rodgers
Trading for Geno Smith

This thread is gonna be on fire with posts from random fan sites asking if Kyler Murray might be an option for their team. This is #content for SEO purposes.

According to OverTheCap, the deadline to modify contracts to take advantage of June 1 rules already passed. This means that either the cards wanted to keep their options open for Murray to come back or have no intention to release him with a June 1 designation.

It’ll be real clear what teams (if any) are pursuing Kyler because they’ll have lots of cap space opened between the start of free agency and March 22.

I’d say the likely possibilities are Kyler:

Gets traded with his current contract (5%)
Gets traded with a modified contract where the Cards pay more than 50% of his guaranteed 2026 salary (10%)
Plays for the Cards in ‘26 (10%)
Gets cut (75%)

Not seeing an upgrade from Kyler on that list - maybe Rodgers, but he's a flake and like 55 years old.

 

[Zalixar]

Trading a mid-round pick for Mac Jones
Signing Snoop Huntley
Signing Malik Willis
Signing Kirk Cousins
Signing Russ Wilson
Signing Aaron Rodgers
Trading for Geno Smith

Philip Rivers noticeably absent, sir. Back to the books with you.

 

[Dback Jon]

Philip Rivers noticeably absent, sir. Back to the books with you.

He got his insurance for the 5 years. Check back in 2030

 

[kerouac9]

There are enough teams that would have to compete for Kyler’s services. That’s good for us. To secure his services they will have to bid for him.

There are not and I explained why in the very post you quoted.

Even any competition is heavily leavened by the fact that everyone knows the Cards don’t want Murray on their roster come March 22.

 

[Cardinal88]

Sadly, the more I think about this, I know it won't hurt to keep Kyler with Brissett as the back up again for 2026. If we end up with an offensive minded HC or an experienced HC (Harbaugh or McCarthy), they may be able to get more out of a medium of the road QB than the 5'6" bald guy. I've said my peace about drafting Beck to be the future - he can sit behind Kyler and Brissett until 2027.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Sadly, the more I think about this, I know it won't hurt to keep Kyler with Brissett as the back up again for 2026. If we end up with an offensive minded HC or an experienced HC (Harbaugh or McCarthy), they may be able to get more out of a medium of the road QB than the 5'6" bald guy. I've said my peace about drafting Beck to be the future - he can sit behind Kyler and Brissett until 2027.

Excellent! I'll just go ahead and say it now to piss off Shane!

In 2026, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense are going to unleash hell on the NFL! lol

 

[slanidrac16]

There are not and I explained why in the very post you quoted.

Even any competition is heavily leavened by the fact that everyone knows the Cards don’t want Murray on their roster come March 22.

K9 nobody knows what this club is thinking or what they’re going to do.
As an example if McDaniel really wanted to coach here and was looking forward to working with Murray?
I think Bidwill would jump on it. No?

 

[unseenaz]

There are enough teams that would have to compete for Kyler’s services. That’s good for us. To secure his services they will have to bid for him.

"to secure his services" they can just draft Trinidad Chambliss in the 2nd round and get the same result.

 

[slanidrac16]

"to secure his services" they can just draft Trinidad Chambliss in the 2nd round and get the same result.

It will take a first round pick, but there is only 1 Chambliss. That leaves at least 2 quarterback hungry teams.

 

[football karma]

I’d say the likely possibilities are Kyler:

Gets traded with his current contract (5%)
Gets traded with a modified contract where the Cards pay more than 50% of his guaranteed 2026 salary (10%)
Plays for the Cards in ‘26 (10%)
Gets cut (75%)

im more bullish on a trade with the Cards paying 2026 salary than you are.

Kylers 2027 salary guarantee isnt too terrible ($19.5mm) but the 2027 roster bonus of $14mm complicates things

Will acquiring teams look at it like they are paying $19mm in 2027 to get a look at him in 2026 and decide if he works for them (which will then cost them and extra $14mm if they decide he does).

 

[kerouac9]

im more bullish on a trade with the Cards paying 2026 salary than you are.

Kylers 2027 salary guarantee isnt too terrible ($19.5mm) but the 2027 roster bonus of $14mm complicates things

Will acquiring teams look at it like they are paying $19mm in 2027 to get a look at him in 2026 and decide if he works for them (which will then cost them and extra $14mm if they decide he does).

Yes that’s how they’ll look at it.

 

[Chopper0080]

Yes that’s how they’ll look at it.

IMO...the test will be how many teams feel like they take on more risk by attempting to sign Kyler as a FA vs trading for him.