Somehow, the Arizona Cardinals are already in Year 7 of the Kyler Murray experience. Once selected No. 1 overall as a dynamic athlete and potential franchise quarterback, it’s been a good-not-great career for Murray thus far.

Arizona has made the playoffs just once behind Murray (2019), but has also rarely fielded an elite defense or supporting cast for its dual-threat quarterback. The more time that passes though, the more talks of the Cardinals’ next era are increasing, especially after their 2-5 start entering Week 9 of the 2025 season.

As Murray has dealt with minor injuries, the Cardinals have relied on Jacoby Brissett as a fill-in starter. The veteran has filled that role seamlessly, keeping Arizona competitive in Weeks 6 and 7 before leading a 27-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.

Could Brissett’s recent play be enough for the Cardinals to consider leaving Murray on the sidelines? Here’s a look at the interesting quarterback situation brewing in Arizona.

MORE: Full Jacoby Brissett career timeline, from Patriots to Cardinals

Will the Cardinals bench Kyler Murray?

Murray has been the Cardinals’ unquestioned starter for all seven years of his career — between the draft pick used to take him, his clear star-level talent and a few solid seasons, there’s been little reason for Arizona to consider benching him. He’s by no means been a “bust,” yet there’s constantly felt like another gear for Murray to hit in his development.

As the Cardinals have been stuck in a bit of NFL purgatory over the last few years, unable to compete in the NFC West, the first signs that it could be time to move on from Murray in the near future could be appearing.

In five starts this season, Murray has thrown for six touchdowns and three interceptions, putting up so-so numbers while leading the team to a 2-3 record, only beating the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

Since Week 6, Murray has been sidelined with a foot injury. That opened up the chance for Brissett, a journeyman, to lead the Cardinals’ offense for multiple games. And while Arizona still lost behind Brissett in Weeks 6 and 7, the team was far more competitive in those losses against stronger opponents.

The Cardinals lost 31-27 to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6 as Brissett cleared 300 passing yards with two passing touchdowns. In Week 7, they narrowly fell again, 27-23, to the Green Bay Packers, with Brissett tossing another two touchdowns.

Brissett’s success reached a new peak in Week 9, leading Arizona to a much-needed win on “Monday Night Football.” He totaled three touchdowns and helped the Cardinals build an advantage against the Dallas Cowboys, resulting in the 27-17 win that improved his squad to 3-5.

In the win, Brissett became the first Cardinals QB since Carson Palmer in 2015 to total at least 200 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in three consecutive games, per Underdog.

However, even with Brissett’s nice fill-in performances, the expectation should be that Murray will be back under-center when healthy. Not only are the Cardinals very-much financially invested in Murray, but at the peak of his talents, he can be among the best dual-threat quarterbacks in football. It’s reaching that potential that’s been an issue for Arizona.

Jonathan Gannon affirmed that pro-Murray standpoint postgame after Monday’s victory, saying “nothing’s changed on that” on Murray being the team’s starter. Gannon also said he had “nothing to add to that” when asked whether Brissett had earned more playing time.

At the very least, Brissett has given Gannon something to ponder on. There’s a reason Joe Buck and Troy Aikman said they think the Cardinals should stick with Brissett at quarterback; he’s gotten Arizona’s offense clicking once again, involving both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride in the passing game effectively.

Here’s a look at the Cardinals’ offensive numbers with Murray and Brissett this season:

MORE: Why Marvin Harrison Sr. called out Cardinals’ offense before Week 9 win

Jacoby Brissett stats 

Here’s a look at Brissett’s numbers in three starts and five total appearances this season.

Record Completions-Attempts Comp. % Passing Yards AVG Passing TDs INTs Rushing Yards Rushing TDs
1-2 73-112 65.2 860 7.7 6 1 51 1

Kyler Murray stats 

Murray has been out for multiple weeks with a foot injury, but here are his numbers prior to being sidelined this season:

Record Completions-Attempts Comp. % Passing Yards AVG Passing TDs INTs Rushing Yards Rushing TDs
2-3 110-161 68.3% 962 6.0 6 3 173 1

Kyler Murray contract

In 2022, Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with the Cardinals that kicked in during the 2024 season. He has a club option in 2028, then would become a free agent in 2029.

According to Spotrac, Murray has a cap hit of $43,325,677 in 2025, which reaches over $53 million in 2026. Murray’s $46.1 million AAV ranks 12th among NFL quarterbacks.

MORE: Why Kyler Murray did not appear in Week 9 for Cardinals

Jacoby Brissett contract

Jacoby Brissett signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Cardinals last offseason that keeps him in Arizona through the 2026 season.

He has a cap hit of $5,310,000 in 2025, per Spotrac.

Where did Jacoby Brissett go to college?

Brissett spent two seasons at Florida in college before transferring to NC State. He threw for 2,606 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions as a junior with the Wolfpack, then as a senior in 2015, he threw for 2,662 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Brissett was then drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

How old is Jacoby Brissett?

Jacoby Brissett is 32 years old. He will turn 33 on Dec. 11, 2025.

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