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GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals have a problem, as they prepare to trade franchise quarterback Kyler Murray. Since his silent benching in Week 9, it has been know that Arizona has been looking to trade Murray in the offseason. With the two-time Pro Bowler’s contract becoming guranteed four days after the New League Year, March 15th, the franchise will need to find a deal quick.
However, if any of them are like ESPN’s Bill Barnwell’s mock trade, the Cardinals will be disappointed in the return. Barnwell proposed a trade that sent Murray and a sixth-round pick to the New York Jets for a fourth-round pick.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) walks off the field after their 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 25, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Barnwell on why Murray has low value:
“Arizona’s problem, as it tries to land a meaningful trade return for its quarterback, is that there aren’t many suitors for Murray because he will make more than $78 million in 2026 and 2027 combined before an opening to move on from his deal emerges in 2028.
“It’s never fun to see the face of the franchise dealt for a Day 3 pick, but I would suspect that the new staff was interviewed and hired with the understanding that Murray wouldn’t be staying in Arizona for much longer. So a Murray trade might be about landing the best available deal instead of waiting for the right one.”
Oct 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws the football against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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The former first overall pick looks to be only good for a Day 3 pick in this year’s draft, which has to be disappointing for the franchise. Murray’s contract makes any trade with suitors a lot more difficult. The Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers have all been connected to the seven-year Cardinals QB but all have money problems that make a deal tricky.
Arizona will be looking to generate as much cap space as it can to improve the roster in free agency. It has $40 million in cap space and can garner up to $50 million more if it cuts some players and can get Murray off the books. Trading the 28-year-old away looks to be more of a cap relief than getting a valuable asset in return.