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Kyler Murray Prefers to be Released
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) and his camp "would prefer" that the team cut him so that he can enter free agency, a league source told Ralph Vacchiano and Henry McKenna of FOX Sports. Murray and his representation are expected to meet this week in Indianapolis during the NFL's scouting combine, but they don't expect an answer on his future with the organization. Even though he didn't play in 2025 after suffering a foot injury in Week 5, the 28-year-old signal-caller should be one of the most coveted QBs on the open market. According to a team source, the Cardinals have grown "frustrated" with Murray, and there continue to be questions about his work ethic. Additionally, Arizona is worried Murray will never reach the level of play he had before his ACL tear in 2022, especially after he suffered a sprained foot last season that cost him 12 games. His mobility is "shot," according to a source, and fantasy managers should be pretty concerned about that, too, since most of Murray's appeal comes from his mobility and athleticism outside of the pocket. Arizona prefers to trade him, as he still has two years left on his five-year, $230 million contract.
Source: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano and Henry McKenna
Source: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano and Henry McKenna
Cardinals Open to Long-Term Extension With Michael Wilson?
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort made it sound like the team is interested in a long-term contract extension with wide receiver Michael Wilson, according to AZCardinals.com. "Michael is about everything we want in our program to be about, and hopefully he is here for a long time," Ossenfort said on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine. Wilson is heading into the final year of the four-year, $5.34 million contract he signed with the team in May of 2023, and he's coming off his best year as a pro. The 26-year-old was a beast down the stretch and finished with career-highs across the board in catches (78), targets (126), receiving yards (1,006), and touchdowns (seven) in 17 games played. He had an 8-52-1 line through the first five games in 2025. Wilson proved last year he's ready to take on a bigger role in the passing game, and his fantasy stock is on the rise. However, questions at QB in Arizona may make things difficult on Wilson as he looks for a second straight 1,000-yard season.
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Kyler Murray Hasn't Talked With GM Since Season Ended
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said that he talked with quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) since the 2025 season ended, but a source told ESPN's Josh Weinfuss that the two have not talked since the season ended. Murray didn't play last year beyond Week 5 after suffering a foot injury, and his future in Arizona is in question. If Murray is on the active roster on the fifth day of the new league year, he'll be due a guaranteed roster bonus for 2027 of $19.5 million. Ossenfort said on Tuesday that talks about Murray's future with the organization take place "daily." The GM also said that "all options are on the table for us" with Murray. Veteran Jacoby Brissett remains under contract with the team and played better than Murray when he took over for the injured QB. The most likely scenario is that Arizona trades Murray within the next three weeks.
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Can Michael Wilson Repeat His 2025 Breakout Success?
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson emerged as a breakout pass-catcher in 2025, recording 78 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns on 126 targets across 17 games played. The 25-year-old's rise coincided with the Cardinals' mid-season quarterback change from Kyler Murray to Jacoby Brissett, as well as injury issues in the team's backfield that led Arizona to become one of the NFL's most pass-heavy offenses. Entering 2026, the Cardinals will have an entirely new coaching staff led by former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Arizona could also have a new quarterback under center, as Brissett is a career journeyman and the team is reportedly looking to move on from Murray. The turnover in Arizona creates some uncertainty that Wilson will be able to repeat his 2025 success in 2026 and beyond. However, his breakout season cannot be ignored, and Wilson's value in dynasty formats should be on the rise.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emari Demercado's Dynasty Value is Fading After Underwhelming 2025 Campaign
Across 13 games in 2025, Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado recorded 413 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 57 touches. Demercado opened the year as the RB3 in Arizona behind James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee). However, Conner suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3, and Benson went down for the year with a knee ailment in Week 4. Despite the injuries ahead of him, Demercado was unable to carve out a lead role in Arizona and ended up splitting playing time with running backs Michael Carter and Bam Knight. Demercado is now set to hit restricted free agency, so there is no guarantee he will be back with the Cardinals in 2026. Even if he gets a new contract in Arizona, it seems clear that the team views him as a complementary piece. The Cardinals should also get Benson back in time for the start of next season, and could look to add more talent in either free agency or the draft. In dynasty formats, Demercado may no longer be worth rostering after his underwhelming 2025 showing.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals Don't Have Timetable for a Decision on Kyler Murray
The Arizona Cardinals have not put a timetable on when they want to decide on the future of quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) this offseason, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. "Just like everything else on our roster, just open conversations right now throughout this building. No time frame on that," head coach Mike LaFleur said. Reports this offseason have suggested that the Cardinals want to try to trade the 28-year-old as part of their rebuild going into 2026. The former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma had another disappointing showing in 2025, playing in only five games due to a foot injury while completing 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. The fact that Arizona was in no rush to have Murray return in the second half last year speaks volumes about how they feel about Murray. A change of scenery might be best for him at this point, and Murray won't be anything more than a QB2 in fantasy this fall.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
James Conner to be a Salary Cap Casualty?
The Athletic's Doug Haller believes that Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) could be a salary cap casualty this offseason. Conner has been a major asset to Arizona's offense during his five years with the team and is among the most respected players in the locker room, but he's also coming off a severe foot injury that limited him to just three games in 2025. He'll turn 31 years old in May and is under contract through the 2026 season, and cutting him would save the Cardinals around $8 million. Cutting Conner would allow the team to use the extra money to find a younger replacement in the backfield. The Cardinals would face a $2.25 million dead-cap hit by releasing Conner if he's a pre-June 1 cut. Even though Conner had two 1,000-yard seasons before his injury last year, he will most likely struggle to find a prominent role as a lead back in either Arizona or somewhere else next season while coming off a serious injury.
Source: The Athletic - Doug Haller
Source: The Athletic - Doug Haller
Is Kyler Murray a Dynasty Buy?
Once viewed as the dynasty QB1, a string of disappointing seasons has sunk Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray's value to an all-time low, with him currently going outside the top 20 at the position in dynasty startups. While his relationship with the previous coaching staff led many to believe he'd taken his last snaps in Arizona after a soft benching to end his 2025 season, the Cardinals cleaned house this offseason, hiring a new head coach and offensive coordinator. Signs still point to Murray being released or traded before a portion of his contract becomes guaranteed in mid-March, but his status remains one of the biggest question marks of the offseason. With an uninspiring incoming quarterback draft class, Murray could be the first domino to fall in the trade/free agent market, but with so much uncertainty surrounding him, he remains a risky dynasty buy. Based on name value alone, his cost in a trade is likely still higher than his current startup placement reflects, and while his perceived value will ultimately rise if he finds a preferable landing spot, his asking cost may not. As such, he remains a hold in most dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals Expected to Hire Matt Schaub as Quarterbacks Coach
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to hire former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Schaub as their new QBs coach, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Schaub played in the NFL from 2004 to 2020 and made 93 career starts with the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. He threw for a league-high 4,770 yards on a league-high 583 passing attempts in 2009 with the Texans. The 44-year-old was an offensive analyst for the Falcons in 2023, but this will be his first coaching job in the NFL as he joins new head coach Mike LaFleur's offense in Arizona. LaFleur was on Atlanta's staff from 2015 to 2016 when Schaub was the backup for Matt Ryan. It's unclear exactly what direction the Cardinals will go in at the QB position going into next season, as they've been rumored to be looking to trade Kyler Murray (foot).
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Cardinals Expected to Retain Defensive Coordinator Nick Rallis
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to retain defensive coordinator Nick Rallis under new head coach Mike LaFleur, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Rallis was the defensive coordinator under previous head coach Jonathan Gannon for the last three seasons, and he will remain in Arizona under LaFleur in 2026. The 32-year-old was the youngest DC in the NFL when he was hired by the Cardinals three seasons ago. Although Gannon shouldered most of the blame, the Cardinals had one of the worst defenses in the league under Callis in two of the last three years. Arizona's defense allowed the fourth-most points per game (28.7), the sixth-most total yards per game (357.7), the ninth-most passing yards per game (230.8), and the eighth-most rushing yards per game (126.9) under Callis during the regular season in 2025.
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Marvin Harrison Jr.'s Dynasty Value Trending Downwards
Heading into his draft year in 2024, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was widely considered to be a sure-fire superstar at his position. So far through his first two NFL seasons, the 23-year-old has struggled to live up to the hype. Across 12 games played in 2025, Harrison Jr. recorded 41 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns on 73 targets. He also dealt with myriad injuries before eventually ending the season on Injured Reserve due to a foot issue. In fairness to Harrison Jr., Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray missed most of the season with a foot injury of his own, furthering an already unstable offensive environment in Arizona. Heading into 2026, Harrison Jr. will be working with a new coaching staff, with former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur taking over as the Cardinals' head coach. While LaFleur's presence could help kick-start Harrison Jr.'s career, 2026 looks like a make-or-break season for the young wideout's fantasy value, which is trending downwards in dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trey McBride Profiles as the Top Tight End in Fantasy After Dominant 2025 Season
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride earned first-team All-Pro honors after setting the all-time single-season reception record by a tight end in his banner 2025 season. Across 17 games, the 26-year-old recorded 126 catches for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns on 169 targets. McBride was the number one scoring tight end in fantasy football in 2025, and given his age, he projects to continue his dominance for at least the next few seasons. The Cardinals are reportedly looking to trade quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason, which means McBride could be facing another season of uncertainty under center in Arizona. However, McBride proved he could be highly productive even with career backup Jacoby Brissett throwing him passes this past season. Heading into 2026, McBride looks like the clear fantasy TE1 in both redraft and dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals Request to Interview Dino Vasso for Defensive-Coordinator Job
The Arizona Cardinals requested an interview with Houston Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso for their defensive-coordinator job, a source told the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. This will be Vasso's second interview for a DC job this cycle after getting a look from the Tennessee Titans before they went with veteran Gus Bradley. In addition to Vasso, the Cardinals are looking at New York Giants outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen and Los Angeles Rams passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant. Vasso is a rising assistant in the coaching ranks and has been coaching with the Texans since the 2021 season. Before joining the Texans, Vasso coached with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. The Cardinals' defense could use all the help it can get after allowing the fourth-most points per game (28.7) and sixth-most total yards per game (357.7) in 2025.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Cardinals Request to Interview Charlie Bullen for Defensive-Coordinator Position
The Arizona Cardinals requested to interview New York Giants outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen for their defensive-coordinator position, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Bullen was an in-house candidate for the Giants' DC job after John Harbaugh became the new head coach, and he also interviewed for the Dallas Cowboys' DC position. He was the Giants' interim DC in 2025 after the team fired Shane Bowen. If Bullen joins the Cardinals, it will be his second stint as a coach in Arizona after previously working as a position coach under former head coach Kliff Kingsbury from 2019 to 2022. He coached for the Miami Dolphins from 2012 to 2018. In addition to Bullen, the Cardinals have requested an interview with Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and defensive passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Cardinals Hiring Nathaniel Hackett as Offensive Coordinator
The Arizona Cardinals are hiring former New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator on Wednesday, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The 46-year-old was the offensive coordinator for three seasons under head coach Matt LaFleur for the Green Bay Packers and will now team up with LaFleur's brother, Mike, in Arizona. Hackett initially joined the Miami Dolphins this offseason to be the quarterbacks coach, but he's departing for a better opportunity in the desert. Hackett's offenses have been nothing special since his time in Green Bay while working with future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers, so it's an underwhelming hire for first-year head coach LaFleur, especially for a Cardinals team that is currently at a crossroads at QB with Kyler Murray (foot). LaFleur announced on Tuesday that he will be calling the offensive plays in 2026.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
