“There’s all the time going to be these highs. What we’ve acquired to do is hopefully get rid of these lows.”
That was the response in late July, after I requested Arizona Cardinals common supervisor Monti Ossenfort for his evaluation of Kyler Murray and the step that wanted to be taken by the quarterback in 2025. As expectations went, it was a brief and succinct guidelines: Hold Murray wholesome and accessible; take away the bottom of lows in his efficiency cycles.
Commercial
Simply over 5 weeks into the season? Murray was coming off three consecutive losses that showcased a number of the irritating parts of his profession, and he was immediately headed to injured reserve with a foot damage. What we didn’t know then is what we discovered on Friday: Murray’s season was over — and certain with it, his stint as a Cardinals quarterback.
That’s how Friday’s information must be absorbed, with Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon saying that additional analysis of Murray’s foot damage isn’t exhibiting the development that might get him again onto the soccer discipline. In gentle of that data, he’s being shut down.
“It’s not progressing the place it’s gonna make sense that he can go [play],” Gannon stated Friday, forward of his workforce’s dwelling sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams. “So he’s gonna be completed for the yr.”
Requested if Murray was going to be a Cardinals quarterback in 2026, Gannon declined to reply, stating “I’m apprehensive in regards to the Rams proper now.”
Commercial
And similar to that, Murray grew to become arguably the No. 1 “reboot” quarterback goal of the approaching offseason — with any profession turnaround now specializing in a brand new franchise.
Murray hasn’t spoken to reporters since after Arizona’s Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans, when he sustained the foot damage that landed him on injured reserve. Nevertheless, he might have alluded to the his finish of his time with the Cardinals Thursday night time on his TikTok account, when he posted a brief video of himself strolling with teammates Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and James Conner. The video was overlaid with the textual content “bizarre yr” and posted with a caption studying “By no means once more”. The caption portion was later deleted.
Friday’s announcement solely fuels divorce hypothesis that has swirled round Murray and the Cardinals since he was positioned on injured reserve. On condition that 2025 was seen as one more yr the place Arizona was in search of Murray to show a nook, it’s a failure that weighs closely on each Gannon and Ossenfort because the tandem full their third season attempting to show the franchise round.
Commercial
After I visited with the Cardinals in coaching camp, each head coach and common supervisor expressed optimism, together with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, that Murray was going to make the development Arizona wanted to gasoline an offensive roster that featured little change from 2024 to 2025. With that hope failing to materialize, and with Harrison Jr. seeming caught in a center gear with the present offense, it’s suggestive that there will probably be some impressed change from each the teaching employees and entrance workplace. Nevertheless, that change would come at a steep price, with Murray’s contract a burdensome concern shifting ahead.
As a result of construction of Murray’s deal, the Cardinals would tackle a $57.75 million useless cap cost in the event that they have been to launch him previous to June 1. In the event that they designate him as a submit June 1 launch, that may be break up right into a $50.5 million cost in 2026 and a $7.2 million cost in 2027. The best transfer can be for the Cardinals to discover a workforce to commerce for Murray, which might yield a way more snug useless cap cost of $17.9 million, but in addition an general cap financial savings of $35.3 million. For the latter to occur, the Cardinals would probably need to commerce Murray away for little or no in return and hope that an buying workforce can be prepared to decide to the $36.8 million that’s already totally assured on his 2026 wage.
It’s unlikely, given Murray’s struggles and accidents, {that a} workforce can be prepared to surrender something of substance in commerce whereas additionally consuming Murray’s assured cash in 2026. Nevertheless, if the Cardinals have been prepared to eat a few of that assured cash in 2026, they may discover a restricted marketplace for him earlier than a mid-March deadline when his $19.5 million base wage in 2027 turns into totally assured (if he’s nonetheless on the Cardinals roster after the fifth day of the brand new league yr in March).
Kyler Murray might need performed his final snap for the Arizona Cardinals. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Pictures)
(Sam Hodde by way of Getty Pictures)
In simplistic phrases? If the Cardinals are shifting on from Murray, they are going to should be very motivated sellers and discover a commerce associate in place previous to March 15. That additionally means workforce proprietor Michael Bidwill must have all of his enterprise with the present employees finalized as shortly as potential following the top of the season. Will Gannon and Ossenfort be afforded one other season to get the franchise onto a playoff observe? Given the aggressive nature of the Cardinals regardless of an enormous spate of accidents , there may be advantage to the tandem returning. If Bidwill feels in any other case, he’ll have to have an both a brand new head coach or GM — or each — in place shortly to make a transfer with Murray.
Commercial
For now, the urge for food for Murray seems to be combined. A number of personnel executives positioned a low worth on Murray as a commerce asset, however their general evaluation was depending on the sum of money the Cardinals can be prepared to eat on his contract and what his well being standing is come January. Murray doesn’t flip 29 till August, however the perceived crimson flags about his work ethic, management and consistency are very actual. That stated, a number of executives famous that Murray’s athletic profile and general expertise as a starter remains to be far superior to every other veteran choices which can be anticipated to be on the commerce market or free company this offseason.
“He nonetheless has the elite athletic profile,” an AFC common supervisor instructed Yahoo Sports activities this week. “While you begin evaluating him to a number of the different guys that may be accessible, [Murray’s] good remains to be on a very totally different stage.”
For that motive, the ballpark on Murray worth is tough to pin down. The aforementioned AFC common supervisor instructed that Murray may nonetheless draw a third-round choose, much like the value the Las Vegas Raiders paid to accumulate Geno Smith final offseason. Different executives have been much less flattering, placing Murray’s worth at fourth-round choose or much less, relying on what the Cardinals have been prepared to eat from his present contract.
Listed here are 5 extra quarterback reboot targets to regulate …
Commercial
Jones has been a sizzling title as a quarterback reboot for the stability of the season, taking on for an injured Brock Purdy and placing collectively a 5-3 report in eight begins, whereas finishing 69.6 p.c of his passes for two,151 passing yards and 13 touchdowns in opposition to six interceptions over that expanse. His two video games in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams stood out particularly, together with a 26-23 Week 5 additional time win and a Week 10 loss that noticed Jones preserve the 49ers aggressive into the fourth quarter earlier than the sport unraveled right into a 42-26 loss.
Alongside the best way, Jones showcased environment friendly starting-level play that was reminiscent to his finest yr within the NFL — the 2021 rookie marketing campaign that noticed him assist lead the New England Patriots to a 10-7 report and tease a future life after Tom Brady. In fact, the Patriots total group collapsed onto itself after that season, in the end resulting in Jones’ play deteriorating behind a poor offensive line and average-to-below-average talent place gamers. His half within the wheezing finish of the Invoice Belichick period regarded like it will stamp the top of Jones’ profession, delivering him to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, the place he went 2-5 in aid of an injured Trevor Lawrence earlier than departing final offseason to signal with the 49ers.
Commercial
His rebirth underneath Kyle Shanahan this season teased ideas that Jones might be the subsequent quarterback after Sam Darnold to rekindle a beginning shot — regardless of Darnold and Jones having very totally different athletic profiles and talent units. A few of the Jones hype has settled a bit with the return of Brock Purdy to the beginning lineup, with the offense trying extra vertical and explosive regardless of continued damage points and Purdy having a three-interception sport in a sloppy 20-9 win over the Carolina Panthers in late November.
The truth for Jones is that his finest match and the opposite choices accessible will drive curiosity in him this offseason. Whereas framed by some within the potential reboot tier of a Darnold, Daniel Jones or Baker Mayfield, neither his arm or general athleticism compares properly to that group. He additionally matches finest in a Shanahan or Sean Payton particular kind of scheme that may be a West Coast timing offense or related hybrid. The groups that readily come to thoughts with each want and system matches are the Minnesota Vikings (if J.J. McCarthy can’t discover traction by the top of the season), Pittsburgh Steelers (if Aaron Rodgers retires) and Miami Dolphins (if Tua Tagovailoa falls out of favor and Miami needs to usher in somebody to compete for the beginning job). The Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns is also matches. However virtually all of those choices for a Jones commerce will probably be predicated on what occurs with present starters and in some respects, potential teaching modifications. Jones is solely not a one-QB-fits-all participant, and the slots on the market for a workforce to chase him are tougher that almost all wish to admit.
And as one NFC West government identified about Jones earlier this week, his finest match might have already got been realized as a backup to the oft-banged up Purdy. Jones has already excelled in restricted time with Shanahan and if Jones have been to get one other spate of snaps between now and the top of his deal in 2026 — and if he as soon as once more carried out properly with these alternatives — he may doubtlessly be a coveted 28-year previous free agent in March of 2027. With the 49ers probably inclined to carry onto him as an insurance coverage coverage subsequent season, the hype a couple of Mac Jones reboot may be only one season sooner than when it’s at a peak.
Alongside Kyler Murray and Mac Jones, Richardson’s future must be one of the vital attention-grabbing storylines of the offseason relating to the reboots. There’s clearly nonetheless curiosity in his immense set of bodily instruments regardless of accidents, poor efficiency and what some evaluators consider is simply an general lack of maturity for the 23-year previous quarterback. Overwhelmed out for the beginning job within the preseason by Daniel Jones, Richardson is at present on injured reserve after a freak accident in pregame warmups resulted in an orbital fracture in October. He’s nonetheless anticipated to return this season and resume his backup duties behind Jones, who’s at present coping with his personal fibula damage.
Commercial
Like Murray and Jones, Richardson is underneath contract and must be acquired by way of commerce. His rookie first-round contract provides the Colts or any potential buying workforce the chance to set off a fifth-year possibility on his present deal, which might take Richardson via the 2027 season. The query is whether or not the Colts have any inclination to proceed growing Richardson if Jones is in the end deemed to be their long-term starter. And all of that is coming to a head shortly, with the 28-year previous Jones set to be a free agent in March. A method or one other, the Colts both need to make some type of dedication to both Jones or Richardson shifting ahead. Because it stands, Jones has appeared to have performed himself right into a long-term extension supply. That would change the strategy of common supervisor Chris Ballard, who stated in late August of Richardson: “We’re not buying and selling him.”
It’s a stance that may make little sense if Jones is awarded a long-term extension — even when it’s a deal much like these signed by Sam Darnold with the Seattle Seahawks and Geno Smith with the Las Vegas Raiders. Each of these offers are basically two-year contracts with the flexibility to maintain every on the fold for a 3rd. Even when that’s the type of restricted dedication deal signed by Jones, it will probably be too price prohibitive in 2027, when Richardson’s present fifth-year rookie possibility projection is salted to be $22.9 million. In fact, the Colts may fiddle with the payout to Jones and the construction of his contract to make it work, however it will even be wildly awkward for each Jones and Richardson to have the franchise principally betting on each to be the starter in 2027 and past.
All this units up the expectation of Richardson being made accessible for commerce as quickly as Jones is underneath a long-term extension. The query is what the Colts may web in return. Three entrance workplace executives pegged Richardson’s worth at a fourth-round choose, which might put it in step with what the Dallas Cowboys surrendered for Trey Lance in 2023. Nevertheless, two different executives Richardson’s commerce worth at nothing greater than a fifth rounder resulting from an buying workforce having to decide in Might concerning Richardson’s expensive fifth yr possibility for the 2027 season.
“He’s a developmental participant and also you’re buying and selling for one yr of improvement,” stated an government who pegged Richardson’s worth at a fifth-round choose. “The Raiders traded a fifth for one yr of Kenny Pickett.”
Commercial
Levis will probably be an attention-grabbing gamble if some workforce is drawn to his very huge device set. While you discuss to individuals across the league who’ve a observe report with first-year Titans GM Mike Borgonzi, there’s a fairly strong expectation that the Titans will work to commerce Levis with one yr left on his deal — though it must be famous that the subsequent teaching employees has but to chime in with its personal evaluation. However with Cam Ward making strides within the beginning job, the time-tested and logical playbook for 2026 is for Tennessee to hunt out a trusted veteran backup whose talent set and expertise will mesh with getting ready and growing Ward to the fullest extent. With Levis having misplaced his job to Ward and having solely 21 video games of expertise as a starter, he’s not a pure slot in that function. He’s additionally a roster relic of a earlier head coach and common supervisor.
However even with that inclination to commerce him, the fact is that Levis’ commerce worth is about as little as it could possibly get. He had surgical procedure to restore a big AC joint tear in his throwing shoulder final July, knocking him fully out of the 2025 season. Not solely will he haven’t practiced or thrown in months, there additionally will probably be little — if any — proof of how wholesome his throwing shoulder is or will probably be as soon as he returns to the sector. That’s not going to get you a lot on the commerce market. Possibly a seventh-round choose at this level. However for individuals who would possibly roll the cube on that, there may be some advantage to taking a really low threat on a participant who has had a couple of flashes of brilliance. And Tennessee’s struggles no matter whether or not or not Levis was on the sector may very well assist him.
Commercial
One AFC evaluator drew tradition comparisons between what Levis skilled with the Titans and the poor surrounding environments that Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield skilled with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, respectively — after which the Carolina Panthers collectively — as having advantage for a deeper look. The Titans’ offensive line was a multitude, the operating sport was largely nonexistent and he in the end ended up enjoying for 2 totally different teaching staffs in his first two seasons. Briefly, not the type of surroundings that fosters seamless improvement.
“When a man is popping out of a multitude, typically that’s good and typically that’s unhealthy,” the AFC evaluator stated. “It is dependent upon how that impacts a participant and what they be taught.”
The evaluator additionally certified that the general talent units between Levis, Darnold and Mayfield weren’t apples-to-apples comparisons.
“Levis got here in with a whip [for an arm]. Darnold and Baker have been superior athletes general,” he stated. “Darnold and Mayfield got here [into the league] having proven lots of management qualities,” he stated. “Levis was a giant arm and a few toughness. Now there’s the accidents on high.”
Commercial
Whereas Levis’ shoulder will probably be troublesome to put aside, it value remembering that he had some very respectable video games as a rookie underneath head coach Mike Vrabel earlier than his second season underneath now-ousted head coach Brian Callahan went sideways in 2024. Levis additionally had some very aggressive video games with Callahan on the helm, however any positives have been virtually totally overshadowed by horrible choices, benchworthy interceptions and accidents. To not point out the clear properly of frustration that Callahan developed over the course of the 2024 season, which was usually aired throughout video games or in Callahan’s conferences with the media.
Taken as a complete package deal, it’s lots to kind via. However it could possibly’t be ignored that a number of the scrap heap quarterbacks which have revived their careers and thrived this season additionally went via some staggering low factors, too.
The ship has not sailed on Lance getting yet one more beginning shot simply but — however he additionally must step out from behind confirmed veteran quarterbacks and get significant snaps in 2026. He’s 25 (turns 26 in Might) and has now been within the league 5 years with out discovering a workforce prepared to present him a sustained check run because the San Francisco 49ers traded him to the Dallas Cowboys in August of 2023. One longtime AFC evaluator who was excessive on Lance heading into the 2021 draft made a compelling level for Lance nonetheless doubtlessly having some ceiling.
Commercial
“He’s by no means actually gotten his shot — and you may also say he’s by no means actually pressured it — but it surely’s not like he’s gotten overwhelmed out by unhealthy quarterbacks,” the evaluator stated. “There’s some circumstances. Accidents when he wanted lots of improvement [in San Francisco] after which take a look at the fellows he’s been behind.”
The argument in a nutshell: Lance basically performed one season of quarterback in highschool and one season of beginning quarterback in faculty. He wanted vital endurance and improvement, however spent his rookie season filling in behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and had points with accidents (and ultimately) confidence. By the top of his second season, he’d misplaced any shot at beginning to rookie Brock Purdy, who has turned out to be beginning quarterback. Finally, he misplaced his backup job in San Francisco to Sam Darnold …who has additionally turned out to be beginning quarterback. Since then, he has hung out with the Dallas Cowboys behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush (who proved to be a top quality backup) and now has been the backup to Justin Herbert with the Chargers.
Except for failing to supplant Rush as Prescott’s backup in Dallas, Lance’s historical past has been affected by different good quarterbacks within the room, and severely restricted probabilities to take strides ahead on the sector. What hasn’t modified is that he’s nonetheless a younger, 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback with a powerful arm and the flexibility to influence video games together with his legs, too. In some respects, his device set is a much like that of Levis, however with a lot much less on-field tape to truly showcase it. When you’re a believer in Lance, you’re a believer in late-bloomers who simply wanted a sustained alternative to get their sport up and operating. Jordan Love, for instance, did nearly nothing his first three seasons within the league and sometimes regarded extraordinarily poor in Packers practices. You’re additionally a believer that Lance can match a number of schemes, whether or not it’s RPO heavy, play motion heavy, and so forth.
Commercial
It’s value noting that Lance had some very spectacular flashes in his preseason video games. And that Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh praised him this week as “cool, calm collected” after Lance took some first-team and goal-line reps following the non-throwing hand damage to Herbert. It’s very potential Lance will get some snaps Monday night time in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. With Lance as soon as once more changing into a free agent in March, no matter he does between at times will decide if one other NFL workforce is prepared to deliver him in as one thing greater than only a dependable backup.
It says one thing that Geno Smith has had such a tough season with the Raiders — a few of it definitely induced by the league’s worst offensive line — and Pickett nonetheless hasn’t gotten a shot at a begin. Head coach Pete Carroll continues to lean into veterans over younger gamers and there’s been little doubt that he views Smith because the quarterback who provides the Raiders the perfect shot to win video games. At this level, if Pickett finally ends up with a begin, it would both be resulting from an damage to Smith or somebody above Carroll forcing the change to see if Pickett has something to supply. However together with his rookie deal expiring after the season, there’s little motivation for the Raiders to present him a check drive now, solely to see him discover some traction and lose him in free company.
Commercial
Not like Trey Lance, there’s a powerful sense that Pickett has already proven his ceiling. His limitations are well-known, from his missing arm power. However once you discuss to evaluators in his final two spots earlier than Las Vegas, with the Philadelphia Eagles after which briefly with the Cleveland Browns, there may be some insistence that Pickett’s early improvement was virtually fully submarined in with the Pittsburgh Steelers by a mismatched offensive coordinator in Matt Canada and an offensive line that was a revolving door of issues. It grew to become a rhythmless system with a rhythm quarterback plugged inside it.
“We all know the highest finish with Kenny is restricted,” stated an evaluator from one among Pickett’s earlier stops. “However his ground might be increased than individuals assume. He needs to be in the precise scheme and have optimistic alignment with an offensive coordinator. He didn’t have that [in Pittsburgh].
Whereas I believe Pickett was slated to compete for (and possibly even favored to win) the Cleveland Browns beginning job earlier than preseason accidents derailed him, it stays to be seen if every other workforce is prepared to check out Pickett as something greater than a backup. All of that stated, Pickett does have 25 video games of beginning expertise underneath his belt and nonetheless might be seen as a potential spot starter with journeyman bridge potential. He turns 28 this offseason. Suppose alongside the traces of Jacoby Brissett, who has shifted forwards and backwards between backup, spot starter and bridge starter roles for the final 10 years.
