The Arizona Cardinals have a new head coach in Mike LaFleur. One of the first major questions on his desk is the quarterback room, a group that has revolved around Kyler Murray for the past seven seasons. The expectation around the league is that 2026 could mark a reset. But LaFleur hasn’t tipped his hand.

“No time frame on that,” LaFleur said when asked about Murray’s future with Arizona.

There may be no official timeline, but the speculation is loud. Multiple reports suggest Murray’s tenure with the Cardinals could be nearing its end. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has led the offense for seven seasons, yet sustained success has been elusive.

In 2025, Murray made just five starts before a foot injury in Week 5 sent him to injured reserve. He threw for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions before being shut down for the remainder of the season. By December, Arizona made it clear that Murray would not return.

On top of that, Murray’s résumé doesn’t quite make the noise, even if he remained healthy. Murray owns a 38-48-1 career record, with only one season above .500 and a lopsided loss in his lone playoff appearance. Now, with Jonathan Gannon out and LaFleur in, the possibility of a quarterback pivot feels real.

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That leads to the obvious question: If Arizona moves on, how do they actually do it? The complication is financial.

Ahead of the 2022 season, Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension, including $160 million guaranteed. That deal now looms large in any trade or release discussion. There’s no known no-trade clause, meaning the Cardinals technically have flexibility. The issue, however, isn’t about permission. It’s about the cost.

If Arizona releases him outright, the team absorbs $54.7 million in dead money. That’s cap space gone with Murray no longer on the roster. A post-June 1 designation lowers the immediate hit to $47.5 million in 2026, with the remainder pushed into 2027. It’s still a heavy burden.

That’s why a trade becomes the more practical path. A pre-June 1 trade would result in $17.9 million in dead money. Post-June 1, that number drops further to $10.7 million. On paper, that’s far more manageable.

But here’s the real question: Who’s making that call? Murray is coming off an injury and several uneven seasons. Yes, he’s only 28 and still possesses high-end talent. But any acquiring team would inherit his contract and its financial weight.

That’s why LaFleur’s “no time frame” comment makes sense. The decision isn’t just about performance; it’s about cap math, trade partners, and risk tolerance. Moving on is possible. Doing it cleanly is the challenge.

What LaFleur has expressed confidence in, however, isn’t the quarterback situation. It’s his offensive coordinator.

Mike LaFleur talked about his offensive coordinator’s qualities

Mike LaFleur has made it clear he’ll handle offensive play-calling in his first year as the Cardinals’ head coach. That means the team’s new offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, steps into a role that doesn’t require him to call plays. Still, LaFleur was emphatic that Hackett was his choice, and his alone.

“He’s (Hackett) been very successful,” LaFleur said. “He’s very thought of, particularly within our profession. And there’s no equipment, I mean, you guys believe one thing from this press conference is, I wanted him and nobody else. And he’s here.”

LaFleur and Hackett haven’t worked together directly. However, there’s overlap in their paths. Hackett succeeded LaFleur as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2023. He also served as the Green Bay Packers’ OC under Mike’s brother, Matt LaFleur, from 2019 to 2021, and returned last season in a defensive analyst role.

However, LaFleur’s strong endorsement of Hackett comes amid lingering criticism. And that context matters. Hackett, 46, has 17 seasons of NFL coaching experience, but his recent track record has drawn scrutiny.

He was fired as the Denver Broncos’ head coach before finishing the 2022 season. He then became the Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2023 and remained in that role into the first month of the 2024 season before his play-calling duties were reassigned to Todd Downing.

Now, Hackett lands in Arizona under LaFleur’s leadership. The head coach is clearly confident in his offensive coordinator. Whether that confidence translates into on-field success is something the 2026 season will ultimately answer.