The NFC West is set to look a little different in 2026, as one of the primary faces for a rival of the Seattle Seahawks will no longer be in the division. On Tuesday afternoon, it was reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport that the Arizona Cardinals will be releasing quarterback Kyler Murray. This was not an unexpected move, and one many saw coming when he received a “soft benching” this year.
He played in only five games, suffered a foot injury, and despite reports of his return, he was eventually placed on Injured Reserve to end the season. The writing was on the wall at that point, as his time in the Valley of the Sun had reached its sunset date. Now, Murray will be seeking his second NFL home.
The relationship between Murray and the Cardinals was always contentious and a little bizarre. During his contract negotiations, the team infamously put in a clause in his contract mandating study hours. A clause they eventually took out due to immense public backlash.
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For Seahawks fans, they are likely sad to see Murray leave the desert. In his career against Seattle, Murray was 2-9 and on a current eight-game losing streak to the Seahawks. Arizona as a whole has struggled considerably against the Seahawks, having lost their last nine-straight meetings to them.
Overall, Murray ends his tenure with the Cardinals with a 38-48-1 record and only one playoff appearance – which he lost. Against the Seahawks, Murray passed for 2,631 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 games. Arizona deciding to cut ties with their former No. 1 overall pick signals they are likely to spend another year in the NFC West’s basement rebuilding, as they seek their next franchise caliber quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: NFC West Watch: Arizona Cardinals to release QB Kyler Murray
