Murray's confirmation came shortly after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the team informed him of their intention to release him on the first day of the new league year next Wednesday (March 11).

"Sources: Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they intend to release him on the first day of the league year next Wednesday, barring a trade between now and then. Arizona already owes him $36.8M guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5M would have triggered on March 15 for 2027. He now will be moving on," Schefter wrote on his X account. "Arizona has a new HC in Mike LaFleur and a GM in Monti Ossenfort, who didn’t draft Kyler Murray, and they will now look to find the next QB for the Cardinals as Murray’s seven-year run comes to an end."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport had previously reported that the Cardinals were expected to release Murray barring a last-minute trade on Sunday (March 1).

"You got Kyler Murray, a likely release from the Arizona Cardinals, absent some sort of last-minute trade, which I'd be a little surprised about," Rapoport said during NFL Network's live broadcast from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Murray was reported to be expected to have interest from the Vikings, who reportedly plan to sign a veteran quarterback to push former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, as well as the Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers once he hits the free agency market. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Vikings were interested in Murray or former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith during free agency.

"I've also heard that the Vikings are considering Murray and [Geno] Smith as they outline their veteran quarterback plan," Fowler reported via ESPN.com.

Murray was limited to just five starts in 2025 due to a mid-foot sprain he sustained in Week 5 and was shut down in December after it was reported that his injury was not healing as expected. The former Heisman Trophy winner was selected by the Cardinals at No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and was the 2019 NFL Rookie of the Year, as well as a Pro Bowler during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but has been limited by injuries, having played 11 or less games in three of the last four seasons.

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