Kyler Murray has been benched as Cardinals starter.

04 November 2025

For what it’s worth, Murray’s foot injury is supposedly “still a factor.” Although this had begun to feel inevitable, it’s still stunning when a team benches its seventh-year starter in the middle of a massive contract extension. It’s even more surprising considering the alternative is Jacoby Brissett. The veteran journeyman, of course, had out-played Murray this season to the extent that it would have become awkward had Murray kept his job for Week 10 against the Seahawks. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 draft, Murray appeared polished and almost fully formed as a rookie. The problem is that he was fully formed, turning in variations of the same season since without leveling up. Still only 28 years old, Murray is signed through 2028 with guaranteed salary through 2026. He will obviously be traded this offseason. A year in McVay and or Shanahan finishing school would probably do him well, but Murray’s long track record of static play could limit his market more than expected.