The split between the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray feels like a given at this point.
The big question centers more around how the two sides finalize their divorce, whether it be via trade or release, than if running it back under new head coach Mike LaFleur is even possible.
Although getting something out of a Murray trade would be better than nothing if released, ESPN’s Benjamin Solak doesn’t see Arizona getting very much in return for the 2019 No. 1 overall pick.
A lot of that has to do with his contract.
If Murray’s contract is traded in its current form, I think the return would be almost nominal — a Day 3 pick. For acquiring teams with plenty of cap space and a long-term rebuild ahead (think teams such as the Jets), keeping the draft capital and spending the money on Murray might be preferable.
Already set to make $36.8 million in 2026, Murray can see another $19.5 million become guaranteed for 2027 if the quarterback is still on the Cardinals’ roster by the fifth day of the new league (March 15), according to OverTheCap.
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A release before June 1 would trigger $54.7 million in dead cap, while a post-June 1 release would space that money out across two seasons.
The dead money hit would be hefty, though it’s nowhere near what the Denver Broncos took on ($85 million) for the release of Russell Wilson in 2024.
Still, getting a trade done remains the best route — even if there’s little coming back the Cardinals’ way as Solak suggests.
On top of getting something in return for dealing Murray, the Cardinals would also limit the dead money hit to $17.9 million while opening up $34.7 million in cap savings.
That is unless they try to sweeten the pot for better draft capital.
Would the Cardinals endure the optics of getting just a fourth-round pick for Murray to save the money? I’d wager they’re more likely to take on some dead cap in order to improve the draft compensation they get in return, which would put other teams in play.
All it takes is a bidding war to up Murray’s value. Arizona potentially taking on more dead money may be just the push it needs.
But would a team even bother entertaining a potential trade if it knows Murray and the Cardinals are headed for a split and could potentially land the quarterback for less on the open market?
Either way, there’s no shortage of potential landing areas, with Solak listing nine other teams who could use another arm on their roster.
from Arizona Sports https://ift.tt/auic1So
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