Will the Arizona Cardinals Trade Their Former First-Overall Pick?
The Arizona Cardinals have a big decision to make during the offseason. Will they trade their former first overall pick in quarterback Kyler Murray? Trade rumors have been circulating about Murray since the beginning of the 2025 season. Former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, along with the Cardinals front office, decided not to deal the former top pick before the NFL Trade Deadline. With Murray being injury-prone and questions regarding his character and commitment to the team, the question remains: Will Arizona trade their former first overall pick?
Last season was not ideal for the Arizona Cardinals. While they started with a record of 2-1 at the beginning of the season, that momentum didn't last; they eventually ended the season at 3-14. With injuries to many of their starting players, including the loss of their starting running back, James Conner. The Cardinals were dependent on their former first overall pick to help generate the offense. Throughout the five games Murray started, he had a completion rate of 68.3 percent. At the time, this completion percentage would have placed him among the top ten QB’s. Unfortunately, the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback went down with a mid-sprain during their Week Five loss to the Tennessee Titans. The 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has experienced five major injuries during his tenure with the Cardinals. The mid-foot sprain marked the possible end of the Murray era in Arizona. Trade rumors began circulating about him while he was rehabilitating his injury, and backup quarterback Jacoby Brisset took over the starting role and ultimately kept that position throughout the season. Murray's best season came in 2020, where he recorded 26 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, along with a QBR of 61.9 percent. With the 2026 NFL Draft lacking quarterback depth, the Cardinals are not left with many options at QB.
Arizona's new head coach, Mike Lafleur, has declined to comment on whether they will be trading their former first overall pick. When Lafleur was originally hired, the option of giving Murray another chance remained. Leaving many to question the future of the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback in Arizona. The biggest concern about Murray was his inability to get the team's 2024 fourth overall pick, Marvin Harrison Jr., to produce on offense. Meanwhile, Brissett was able to get Harrison Jr. started, ending the season with 608 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Murray has not been the answer for the Cardinals throughout his seven seasons with the team.
