By shutting Kyler Murray down for the season, Cardinals hope to avoid $19.5 million in 2027 guarantees

Yes, the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray are destined for an off-season divorce.

Friday’s announcement that Murray I won’t play again this year for the Cardinals, it was no surprise. For some, it was planned.

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The Cardinals already owe Murray $39.8 million, fully guaranteed, for 2026. If he is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2026 league year, an additional $19.5 million in 2027 salary will also be fully guaranteed.

The Cardinals need Murray healthy before guarantee day. If it is not, they will not be able to avoid the guarantee for 2027 by removing it.

This could be academic if his Week 5 foot injury isn’t fully healed by March. Even though he’s currently healthy, there’s no reason to risk an injury that would open the door to another $19.5 million for Murray.

This is the fourth straight year an NFL team has cut a starting quarterback to minimize future responsibilities. The Raiders did it with Derek Carr in 2022. The Broncos did it with Russell Wilson in 2023. The Giants did it with Daniel Jones in 2024.

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Now, the Cardinals will stop the bleeding at $39.5 million — without risking the possibility of it reaching $59 million.

And while a trade remains possible, the Cardinals would surely have to pay much of the $39.5 million owed to Murray in 2026. Cutting Murray would allow him to take a one-year deal for the veteran minimum with another team, as Wilson did with the Steelers in 2024, with the rest of the money coming from the Cardinals.

Regardless, today’s news is the next step toward the Cardinals’ inevitable release of Murray. Unless of course he can pass a medical examination before the fifth day of the 2026 championship.