Fantasy Football shock: Cardinals set to release Kyler Murray as his Arizona chapter ends
fantasy football managers will be watching closely as the Arizona Cardinals plan to release Kyler Murray at the beginning of the new league year on 11 March (ET), a decision that frees the former No 1 overall pick to sign elsewhere while he remains owed $36. 8m in guaranteed money for 2026. The move follows a 2025 season in which Murray played five games, threw for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions before suffering a foot injury against the Tennessee Titans and being placed on injured reserve. The release closes a seven-year tenure in Arizona that produced one playoff appearance, multiple individual honors and a high-profile contract signed in 2022.
Key facts and immediate fallout
The Arizona Cardinals informed Kyler Murray they plan to release him at the start of the new league year on 11 March (ET). Murray posted a farewell message to Arizona fans, saying he was sorry he failed to end the franchise’s 77-year drought and that he believed his best football is ahead. The quarterback’s 2022 contract was a five-year deal worth $230. 5m with $160m guaranteed; he is still owed $36. 8m guaranteed for 2026. The club finished 3-14 in 2025 and fired head coach Jonathan Gannon after the season.
Murray’s recent injury timeline and performance were central to the decision: he played only five games in 2025 before the foot injury, and backup play created a quarterback controversy. Murray tore his ACL in 2022 and missed the remainder of that season and part of 2023. His tenure included early highs — Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, two Pro Bowl nods and highlight moments such as the game-winning connection known as the “Hail Murray” in 2020 — but sustained team success proved elusive.
Immediate reactions
Mike LaFleur, Arizona Cardinals head coach, said, “He was always a problem. ” Kyler Murray, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, wrote in a public message: “To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best. ” Murray added, “I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed. ” These statements come as roster and cap considerations — including a 2027 guarantee that previously factored into the club’s handling of his playing time — shaped the decision to move on.
Fantasy Football market
With Murray set to become available after his release, his presence will alter offseason calculations for teams and fantasy football players alike. The Cardinals’ decision to carry his guaranteed money means Murray could sign elsewhere while Arizona pays the owed guarantees, changing how contenders and rebuilding clubs weigh his value. League-wide conversations already named the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts as teams to watch as potential landing spots, each presenting different paths for Murray to compete for a starting role.
What’s next
Expect a flurry of evaluations in the coming days as teams balance salary cap, draft capital and roster fit while Murray tests free agency after 11 March (ET). The Cardinals will move forward without the former No 1 overall pick on their roster; Murray will enter the market with guaranteed money already committed to him and public commitment to return to form. Fantasy football managers and NFL front offices will be watching medical reports, potential suitors and Murray’s messaging for clues about his next chapter.
