Arizona Cardinals News

The Arizona Cardinals' "current intention" is to keep Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback in 2026, with Gardner Minshew serving as the backup, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Brissett took over for the injured Kyler Murray (foot), who has since been released, after he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 5. The 33-year-old veteran proceeded to have a career year in a pass-happy offense, completing 64.9% of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games played (12 starts). Brissett quickly became a QB streamer for QB-needy fantasy managers, and he was money in superflex leagues as well, with the Cardinals throwing the ball often while frequently playing down multiple scores. He'll be in play in two-QB leagues again in 2026 as long as he's starting, although the Cardinals may look to become more balanced on offense under new head coach Mike LaFleur.

The Arizona Cardinals and two-time Pro Bowl running back James Conner (foot) agreed to a restructured contract on Sunday that will keep him with the team in 2026, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Conner played only three games in 2025 due to a foot injury that required season-ending surgery, but he'll be back with the Cardinals this year at age 31. Trey Benson (knee) also missed most of the year due to injury, which gave more opportunities to both Michael Carter and Emari Demercado. Carter led the team with only 333 rushing yards and one touchdown on 92 rushing attempts over 13 games, while Demercado had 312 yards and no touchdowns on the ground in 13 games. Conner could be the favorite for RB1 duties again in 2026, but on the wrong side of 30 in an offense that could have issues at the quarterback position, the upside for Conner probably won't really be there.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has heard that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) has interest in the Indianapolis Colts as he looks for his next team. Breer adds that Murray's preference is probably to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, but all options are on the table right now, with the Cardinals expected to release him. As long as the Colts can retain Daniel Jones (Achilles) -- he received the transition tag -- the Colts wouldn't exactly make sense for Murray from a playing-time standpoint. The 28-year-old former first overall pick back in 2019 out of Oklahoma is one of the quickest QBs in the game, but injuries have been an issue, and he just hasn't been able to take the next step as a dual-threat signal-caller in the NFL. Before a season-ending foot strain in Week 5, Murray had 962 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three picks in 2025. Landing in Minnesota would be the best thing for Murray's fantasy value as he looks to rebound in 2026.

The Arizona Cardinals released defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson on Friday, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Tomlinson played his only season with the Cardinals in 2025 and had 26 tackles (13 solo) and one sack in 17 starts in his ninth year in the NFL. The 32-year-old former second-round pick back in 2017 out of Alabama by the New York Giants played the first four years of his career with the Giants before spending two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Tomlinson has been a durable and consistent defensive tackle in his nine years in the NFL, but he doesn't move the fantasy needle in IDP formats with only 20 total sacks through 142 games played (142 starts). The Cardinals will free up around $9.4 million in salary cap space this year by cutting Tomlinson, who signed a two-year, $29 million deal with Arizona last March.

Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith and Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett are the front-runners to be the New York Jets' starting signal-caller in 2026, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Smith was taken by the Jets in the second round in 2013 out of West Virginia, so it would be a homecoming after he spent the first four years of his career in New York. The 35-year-old was one of the worst QBs in the league in 2025, but he'll come cheap this offseason and has enough experience to be a one-year bridge option at the position. Brissett would be more expensive, and it's unclear if the Cardinals will even trade him this offseason. Reports on Friday suggested the Jets could add two veteran QBs in free agency, so if the team adds Smith or Brissett, they'd likely be competing for the starting role this summer. Most likely, the QB position will be one to avoid in fantasy leagues this fall.

Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) is the top available option at the QB position this offseason. The New York Jets have discussed him as an option, but the "resounding belief" from multiple sources is that he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. The 28-year-old former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma didn't play beyond Week 5 last year due to a foot sprain, and veteran Jacoby Brissett actually elevated the offense in Murray's absence. The Vikings are looking for a signal-caller to push J.J. McCarthy and perhaps even win a QB battle going into next season. Murray, the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, would be in position to rebound in a big way if he were to land in Minnesota, with head coach Kevin O'Connell and legitimate receiving threats in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Murray is going to be cheap on the open market and in fantasy drafts this fall, but he will make for an interesting QB2 flier with bounce-back potential if he signs with the Vikes.

The Arizona Cardinals will not tender a contract to restricted free-agent running back Emari Demercado before next week, making him a free agent, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Demercado had over 1,100 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in his three years with the Cardinals, including a career-high 312 rushing yards on 44 carries in 2025 in 13 games with both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) injured. He added 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 targets in 2025. Especially with Conner and Benson coming off serious injuries last year, it wouldn't be surprising to see Arizona try to bring Demercado back on a cheap deal for 2026. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of TCU probably won't be anything more than a complementary back wherever he lands in free agency this offseason.

Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett took over the starting job in Arizona following the Week 5 foot injury and soft benching of former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray. With the team informing Murray on Tuesday that they would be releasing him before the start of the new league year, Brissett is left atop a depth chart that includes only third-year pro Kedon Slovis. While Brissett was a fantasy revelation in 2025, unlocking both tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson with a seemingly unsustainable passing volume, the Cardinals won only one of his 12 starts, and they have recently been linked to free-agent quarterback Malik Willis. With a weak rookie and free agent quarterback class, Willis figures to be the most sought-after player at the position when the legal tampering window opens on March 9. Cardinals new head coach Mike LaFleur is the younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, for whom Willis has played the past two seasons, reviving his career across three impressive starts.

The Arizona Cardinals informed quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) that they will release him, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Murray is due $36.8 million guaranteed for 2026 with offsets, meaning he will play the 2026 season for another team at the league minimum. The 28-year-old didn't play in 2025 beyond Week 5 due to a foot sprain, and the expectation was always that the Cardinals would move on from the former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma. The Cardinals would have had to give Murray another $19.5 million in guarantees if Murray were on the roster on March 15. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of the quickest QBs in the league when he takes off with the ball in his hands, but injuries and consistency have been issues. He's on the right side of 30, though, and in the right situation, we wouldn't be surprised if Murray bounces back as a QB1 in fantasy if he stays healthy.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray's name has "surfaced repeatedly" in the New York Jets' offseason discussions, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. The Jets are reportedly keeping all options open when exploring a quarterback upgrade, but the idea of Murray heading to New York has gained plenty of traction. The veteran signal-caller and former No. 1 pick is in the middle of a five-year, $230.5 million contract with Arizona, but he's expected to be released this offseason. He had seven touchdowns and four turnovers through five games in his injury-shortened 2025 campaign, which was preceded by an ugly 15-turnover total in 2024. Despite injury and performance concerns, one source told Hughes that Murray offers athleticism and upside that the Jets won't find anywhere else. Specifically, that source said, "If the goal is basic competence, Murray can get you there." On the other hand, plenty of question marks persist. A different source reportedly told Hughes that signing Murray "would be a disaster" because of concerns about work ethic, leadership, and locker-room connectivity. We might not see any movement on the Murray front until the new league year begins later this month. However, once he's released by the Cardinals, we should at least keep an eye on the Jets as a potential suitor. The Minnesota Vikings, who might be looking to move on from J.J. McCarthy, have also been linked to Murray.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) is "likely to be released" this offseason, barring a last-minute trade, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Murray would be guaranteed a roster bonus of $19.5 million for the 2027 season if he's on the team's active roster by March 16, so a decision one way or another will be coming soon. Although the Cardinals continue to say that all options are on the table for the 28-year-old former first overall pick in 2019, it's looking more likely that he won't return to the desert. Murray didn't play beyond Week 5 in 2025 due to a foot sprain, but his dual-threat abilities at the QB position will make him one of the more attractive free-agent options this offseason if he is indeed released. Murray threw for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions in his five games last year before getting hurt, adding 173 rushing yards and one TD on the ground.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that the Minnesota Vikings are considering Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) and Las Vegas Raiders QB Geno Smith as they outline their plan for a veteran signal-caller this offseason. The Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa and Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins "are also on their radar." None of those four QBs are free agents, but Cousins will be soon, and the others are available via either a trade or, eventually, via free agency if they are released. The Vikings need a contingency plan for J.J. McCarthy, who couldn't stay healthy and struggled in his first full season as the starter in 2025. Many QBs view the Vikings as an attractive destination, so they shouldn't have too much trouble finding a veteran to pair with McCarthy for the upcoming season. Fowler thinks Smith going to Minnesota makes a lot of sense. He's due $18.5 million in guarantees in 2026, but has another $8 million that guarantees on the third day of the new league year.

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) appeared to have a golden opportunity to emerge as a workhorse rusher once fellow Cardinals back James Conner (ankle) suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3 of the 2025 season. Unfortunately, Benson suffered a knee injury the very next week that landed him on Injured Reserve and ultimately ended his year. A third-round pick in 2024, Benson has been an efficient rusher in a small sample through his first two NFL seasons, averaging 4.9 yards per rush attempt on 92 career carries. Provided Benson can get back to full health, 2026 may be the year that he emerges as the RB1 in Arizona. While Conner is technically under contract for 2026, Arizona could release him and save over $7 million against the cap this offseason. Even if Conner remains with the team, he will be in his age-31 season and coming off a serious ankle injury. At the same time, Benson remains a largely unproven player with durability concerns of his own, and the Cardinals will have a new coaching staff in place in 2026 that may be looking to add fresh blood in the backfield in either free agency or the upcoming draft. Still, Benson should have an opportunity to prove himself next season and could be a player worth targeting in dynasty formats, even coming off a lost year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.