Cardinals' Kyler Murray Decision Looks Worse in Hindsight — But It Was Still Right
Cardinals' Kyler Murray Decision Looks Worse in Hindsight — But It Was Still Right
Hindsight will always be 20/20 when it comes to Kyler Murray.Donnie Druin|
In this story:
Arizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray pairing lasted seven years, affording fans highs and lows from the former No. 1 overall pick through his stint in the desert.
Murray's elite athleticism, arm talent and off-script playmaking made him next in line of young franchise quarterbacks — and for a few seasons, that's exactly what fans at State Farm Stadium experienced. Rookie of the year honors and a 2021 run to the postseason quickly followed with multiple Pro Bowls.
Yet things crumbled, with Murray's ACL injury late in 2022 serving as a turning point in his career. As fate would have it, the Cardinals would fire multiple coaches with Murray on the roster, and entering 2026, it was time to start fresh.
That rang true for both parties, though it's easy to second-guess the decision after the dust settles.
ESPN Thinks Cardinals Fumbled Kyler Murray
Grading each team's offseason, ESPN's Seth Walder awarded the Cardinals a prestigious "D" grade and laid into the organization's handling of Murray:
"Murray was due more than $78 million over the next two years, which would have been guaranteed had he remained on the roster on March 15. That was more than any team would have wanted to take on for him. But what if Arizona had paid his $17 million roster bonus and then traded him? The Cardinals could have even converted some of his salary into a signing bonus. They could have received draft pick compensation for Murray while paying him, say, $20 million this year to not play for them. Or even $30 million!
"Instead, the Cardinals released the quarterback, will pay him $35.5 million to not play for them and didn't receive any compensation. Perhaps no team wanted to bite on option A. But if that's the case, was it worth cutting Murray ? If the $35.5 million was sunk cost, all the Cardinals would be signing up for by keeping him was a league minimum salary in 2026 and $19.5 million fully guaranteed in 2027 (he'd have been owed another $17 million or so if they wanted to keep him for 2027). Surely Murray was worth that."
Walder does make some valid points, but hindsight is very much 20/20 when it comes to Murray.
Why Cardinals Made Tough (But Right) Kyler Murray Decision
Murray's contract was nearly impossible for the Cardinals to trade, and even if Arizona swallowed that roster bonus, the value on Murray was nowhere near practical enough to offload him.
In an ideal world, Arizona would have gotten something for Murray rather than the eventual avenue they took in flat-out releasing him. Yet if the Cardinals were going to jump through the hoops to pay his 2027 roster bonus and convert a signing bonus like Walder suggested, they weren't far off from releasing him like they ultimately did.
The big picture that gets lost with Murray isn't about the money, or the draft picks they potentially missed out on.
It was about kicking the can down the road and not delaying the inevitable anymore.
It became abundantly clear the Cardinals and Murray were screaming towards a divorce down the stretch of the 2025 season. Murray's upside was never fully realized in Arizona while the quarterback deserved a fresh start to prove himself elsewhere.
It was a tough move, but one that absolutely made sense for both sides.
Rarely do NFL quarterbacks survive three different coaching staff changes. With the hire of Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals sent a clear message in wanting to hit the reset button across the board, which included quarterback.
If the Cardinals didn't plan on playing Murray and only kept him to save money, that would have created both an unnecessary distraction in the locker room and would have been a strong disservice to a player who deserves to start somewhere else.
Did that send Arizona into quarterback purgatory? It sure did, and who knows when the Cardinals again will be confident in the future of the position.
Yet there was a breaking point reached where the Cardinals were forced to think about the future, no matter the cost. After firing Gannon, who believed in Murray more than anybody, that breaking point was this offseason.
It feels like hindsight will always be 20/20 with Murray's time in the desert, though their decision was a tough (but correct) call.
Published 17 minutes ago | Modified 7 minutes ago
DONNIE DRUINDonnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!
Follow DonnieDruinHome/News
All the clues outside MSG leading up to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s big wedding
Just days remain before Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s massive wedding at NYC’s famous Madison Square Garden arena and preparations seem to be officially underway.
Starting on Monday, various deliveries — including drapery, lights, food, seating and even a “40-inch mirror ball” — were seen entering the venue through the loading dock.
However, many packages were kept completely covered by black tarps; even the delivery people did not know the details of what they were transporting.
Swift and Kelce have kept the details of their nuptials close to the vest, including having guests sign NDAs along with their RSVPs, so the discreet deliveries and heightened security tracks with their plans.
Keep scrolling to photos of all the action outside MSG — including clues that prove the Tayvis wedding is upon us
1 of 16
Vans Warped Tour DC 2026: Everything you missed
Rep. Tom Kean returns to Congress after four months, citing treatment for depression
Rep. Kean announces he was treated for depression during four-month absence05:14June 30, 2026, 11:49 AM EDT / Updated June 30, 2026, 12:47 PM EDTBy Sahil Kapur, Kyle Stewart and Ryan J. KarlinWASHINGTON — Rep. Tom Kean, R-N.J., made his return to the Capitol on Tuesday, saying he was treated for depression during a nearly four-month disappearance from the public eye.
It was Kean’s first time in the House of Representatives since March 5, having missed more than 140 votes in the chamber since then.
“Several months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression,” Kean said in a speech on the House floor.
He said his doctors “recommended that I remain in the hospital to address my illness” and added that depression means more than “feeling sad” — “it is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.”
“Today, I am grateful that I listened to my doctors,” Kean said. “And I’m grateful for the exceptional care that I received from doctors, nurses and support staff. I am grateful that I accepted help. Because today, I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love.”
Kean ignored questions from reporters as he walked into the Capitol. He did not discuss his remarks further after this speech, instead getting into a car and leaving.
Kean’s unusual absence brought a national spotlight to the two-term congressman, especially because he represents a swing district that’s expected to be highly competitive this fall and shape the balance of power in the House. His congressional office did not provide information about his whereabouts, and colleagues told reporters they hadn’t heard from him. Meanwhile, media outlets flocked to his district to speak to neighbors and knock on his door.
Kean, 57, was first elected in 2022. He was unopposed in his June 3 primary for renomination to a third term and will face Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, in November.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., predicted Tuesday morning: “I think Tom gets re-elected easily this fall.”
Bennett, Kean’s Democratic opponent, said in her own statement that she is “relieved that Congressman Tom Kean Jr. is well and continue to wish him good health. But let’s be clear: I got into this race because Tom Kean Jr. was failing our community long before this absence.”
Add NBC News to Google
Sahil KapurSahil Kapur is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.
Kyle StewartKyle Stewart is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the House.
Ryan J. KarlinRyan J. Karlin is an intern at NBC News.
Brennan Leach contributed.Ole Miss Transfer Portal Spotlight: LB Keaton Thomas
Ole Miss Transfer Portal Spotlight: LB Keaton Thomas
The Ole Miss Rebels added a veteran presence at linebacker during the offseason.Tanner Shapiro|
In this story:
Ole Miss RebelsThe Ole Miss Rebels had a strong linebacker room during their historic 2025 season, led by Suntarine Perkins, who returns for the 2026 campaign and T.J. Dottery, who transferred to LSU following former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge.
Perkins is the leader of the defense, as he recorded 41 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception during the 2025 season. Perkins was a key factor in Ole Miss' victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff, as his strip sack provided the Rebels with crucial momentum during a pivotal moment of the game.
New head coach Pete Golding added linebacker Keaton Thomas from Baylor, a player who adds veteran experience and an extremely hard hitting presence to the Rebels' 2026 roster.
Thomas Brings Much Needed Experience
The Rebels will rely on the experience of Thomas and Perkins in 2026, as they navigate a new nine game SEC schedule. The duo of Thomas and Perkins could potentially be one of the best linebacker duos in the SEC, and maybe even in the country.
Thomas put up impressive numbers in 2025, as he recorded 62 solo tackles, one sack, and one interception. In 2024, Thomas recorded 62 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception, while also scoring a touchdown against TCU on a scoop and score.
Golding and his staff may have found the perfect linebacker to replace the production of T.J. Dottery. The Jacksonville, Fl., native has big shoes to fill, as the Rebels have had many stout linebackers over the past four seasons.
Thomas has strong attributes, including very good speed for a linebacker and impressive hands for the position. Expect Thomas to be a huge contributor to the defense.
Ole Miss Building an Elite Linebacker Room for 2026
Not only did Pete Golding go out and get Keaton Thomas, but he also added transfer linebacker Luke Ferrelli, who will help round out the defense and maintain the style of play Golding wants heading into a new and important 2026 season.
The Rebels will also have a different defensive identity in the secondary, as they added several new faces at defensive back. If the Rebels’ defensive back room lives up to the hype, the linebacking group should be able to thrive in 2026.
Ole Miss was not very good against the run last season, as the Rebels allowed 4.1 yards per carry to opposing rushers during the 2025 season. The Rebels will look to rely on Keaton Thomas to help address that issue.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news.
Published 5 minutes ago
TANNER SHAPIROTanner Shapiro is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a degree in journalism with a minor in marketing. He is a staff writer for The Daily Mississippian, covering basketball and contributing sports coverage for the campus community. Outside of journalism, Tanner enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with friends.
Follow TannerShapiroHome/Football
