{"id":17776,"date":"2026-02-04T02:04:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T02:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/lafleur-respect-kyler-murray\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T02:04:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T02:04:25","slug":"lafleur-respect-kyler-murray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/lafleur-respect-kyler-murray\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike LaFleur won\u2019t address Arizona\u2019s QB situation but has \u201ca lot of respect\u201d for Kyler Murray &#8211; NBC Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>New Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur declined on Tuesday to make an immediate decision about the team\u2019s quarterback room following a season in which Kyler Murray played just five games. Murray, who has spent much of 2025 on injured reserve with a foot injury and missed nine games in 2023, is widely believed to have played his final snap in Arizona after seven seasons and one playoff appearance. LaFleur said roster decisions \u2014 including quarterback, offensive line and specialists \u2014 are topics the staff will address in due course. He also expressed clear professional admiration for Murray, calling him a difficult opponent and a player he respects.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The Cardinals are expected to move on from Kyler Murray after seven seasons and one playoff game; Murray played five games in 2025.<\/li>\n<li>Murray missed much of 2025 with a foot injury and previously missed nine games in 2023; the Cardinals are 38-48-1 in his starts.<\/li>\n<li>New head coach Mike LaFleur declined to name a starter immediately, saying quarterback decisions will be made as part of broader roster evaluation.<\/li>\n<li>LaFleur said he has \u201ctouched base\u201d with Murray and described him as a challenging opponent he respects.<\/li>\n<li>Murray, Jacoby Brissett and Kedon Slovis are under contract with Arizona for 2026; the eventual starter could come from outside the current roster.<\/li>\n<li>LaFleur will serve as the play-caller in Arizona; he did not call plays during the past three Rams seasons but previously called plays for two seasons with the Jets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>Kyler Murray was the Cardinals\u2019 first-round pick and began his NFL career as the franchise\u2019s clear starter, but injuries and mixed results have clouded his tenure. Across seven seasons in Arizona, Murray started enough games to compile a 38-48-1 record; the offense showed flashes but the team made only one postseason appearance during that span. Recurring health issues \u2014 notably a foot injury that sidelined him for most of 2025 \u2014 have intensified scrutiny on whether the club should pursue a new direction at quarterback.<\/p>\n<p>The Cardinals enter an offseason of potential transition. Ownership and the front office face competing pressures: the need to field a competitive roster quickly versus the cost and uncertainty of acquiring an established starter on the open market. With three quarterbacks currently under contract for 2026 (Murray, Jacoby Brissett and Kedon Slovis), Arizona must weigh internal options against trades, free agency and the 2026 draft class.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>At his introductory availability, LaFleur refused to single out the quarterback position for immediate resolution. He framed the QB decision as one of many roster choices the coaching staff and front office will examine: \u201cWe\u2019ve got to go back and talk about all these decisions \u2014 quarterback, O-line, specialists,\u201d he said, per team reporting. The comment signaled a methodical evaluation rather than a rushed public pronouncement.<\/p>\n<p>LaFleur confirmed he has contacted Murray since accepting the job, describing the outreach as part of standard onboarding and relationship-building. He emphasized respect for Murray\u2019s ability and impact: \u201cBeing in this division for seven years, it was never fun [to play Murray] \u2026 I have a lot of respect for him as a player. He was never a fun challenge to go against.\u201d The coach\u2019s words balanced professional courtesy with the reality of an unsettled QB room.<\/p>\n<p>Roster mechanics complicate the timeline. Murray, Brissett and Slovis remain under contract for 2026, which gives Arizona flexibility but also creates salary- and roster-management questions. LaFleur noted that the starter for the 2026 season \u201cmight not be on the roster\u201d today, openly acknowledging outside acquisition is on the table.<\/p>\n<p>On scheming matters, LaFleur said he will resume play-calling duties in Arizona. He did not have play-calling responsibilities over the past three seasons while with the Los Angeles Rams, but previously served as the Jets\u2019 play-caller for two seasons and told reporters he \u201cmissed it,\u201d indicating a desire to shape the offense directly.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>The immediate implication is that Arizona plans a full evaluation rather than an instant endorsement or release of Kyler Murray. That buys the franchise time to measure Murray\u2019s health and performance, assess internal alternatives and survey the market for veteran options. For Murray, limited availability in 2025 and a history of missed games make medical clearance and schematic fit key bargaining points.<\/p>\n<p>For the front office, the decision touches on cap management and talent acquisition strategy. Trading for an established starter could require significant draft capital or salary commitments; conversely, leaning on Brissett or Slovis keeps resources for other roster upgrades. LaFleur\u2019s statement that a 2026 starter \u201cmight not be on the roster\u201d suggests Arizona will weigh both approaches seriously.<\/p>\n<p>LaFleur\u2019s return to play-calling is consequential for any QB the team fields. A head coach who calls plays can quickly tailor the offense around a specific passer\u2019s strengths, which may shorten the adjustment period for a new arrival or improve results with an incumbent. That said, shifting play-calling responsibilities also places more in-game tactical pressure on LaFleur and heightens the importance of offensive coordinator support and offensive-line protection plans.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Metric<\/th>\n<th>Value<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Seasons in Arizona<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Playoff appearances<\/td>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2025 games played<\/td>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Games missed in 2023<\/td>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Record in Murray starts<\/td>\n<td>38-48-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table above summarizes the core facts shaping Arizona\u2019s QB decision. Those figures \u2014 especially the combination of limited recent availability and a below-.500 starting record \u2014 help explain why the organization appears open to significant roster moves this offseason.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>LaFleur\u2019s comments drew immediate attention because they combine restraint on personnel decisions with clear professional praise for Murray\u2019s play.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve got to go back and talk about all these decisions \u2014 quarterback, O-line, specialists. Everything. It\u2019s our job and for these players to build the best roster at each position.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Mike LaFleur \/ Cardinals availability (via team reporting)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>He later reflected on the competitive challenge Murray presented when LaFleur faced him as an opponent.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cBeing in this division for seven years, it was never fun [to play Murray] \u2026 I have a lot of respect for him as a player. He was never a fun challenge to go against.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Mike LaFleur \/ Cardinals availability (via team reporting)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>On play-calling, LaFleur was succinct and personal, signaling his intent to take control of offensive game planning.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cI missed it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Mike LaFleur (on calling plays)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>\n<aside>Explainer \/ Glossary<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Play-calling and roster flexibility<\/summary>\n<p>Play-calling refers to the coach responsible for selecting offensive plays during games; a head coach who calls plays can more directly shape game strategy and tailor the offense to a particular quarterback. Roster flexibility describes the team&#8217;s ability to add or subtract players without prohibitive salary or draft-cost barriers. When a starter is under contract but injury-prone, teams often balance medical evaluation, short-term performance, long-term contract costs and the available market for replacements. These factors collectively determine whether a franchise pursues internal options, trades for a veteran, signs a free agent or drafts a rookie.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>That Kyler Murray has definitively played his final snap for the Cardinals \u2014 the assertion is widely reported but not officially confirmed by the team.<\/li>\n<li>Reports that the Cardinals will categorically move on from Murray this offseason \u2014 front-office decisions have not been formally announced.<\/li>\n<li>Any specific trade or signing targets for Arizona\u2019s 2026 quarterback plan \u2014 no public offers or deals have been disclosed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>Mike LaFleur\u2019s initial public stance is deliberately cautious: he is preserving options while signaling respect for Kyler Murray. The combination of Murray\u2019s recent injury history, a sub-.500 starting record and three quarterbacks under contract for 2026 means Arizona will likely weigh both internal and external routes for the starting job.<\/p>\n<p>Practically, the club\u2019s timeline will depend on medical evaluations, offseason workouts and the broader quarterback market. LaFleur\u2019s intention to call plays raises the stakes on whichever QB is chosen or acquired: the offensive approach will be built around that decision, and the head coach will bear direct responsibility for the on-field outcomes.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/nfl\/profootballtalk\/rumor-mill\/news\/mike-lafleur-wont-address-arizonas-qb-situation-but-has-a-lot-of-respect-for-kyler-murray\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBC Sports \/ ProFootballTalk (media report)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcardinals.com\/news\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arizona Cardinals official site (team website \/ official reporting via Darren Urban)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead New Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur declined on Tuesday to make an immediate decision about the team\u2019s quarterback room following a season in which Kyler Murray played just five games. Murray, who has spent much of 2025 on injured reserve with a foot injury and missed nine games in 2023, is widely believed to &#8230; <a title=\"Mike LaFleur won\u2019t address Arizona\u2019s QB situation but has \u201ca lot of respect\u201d for Kyler Murray &#8211; NBC Sports\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/lafleur-respect-kyler-murray\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Mike LaFleur won\u2019t address Arizona\u2019s QB situation but has \u201ca lot of respect\u201d for Kyler Murray &#8211; NBC Sports\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"LaFleur defers on Cardinals QB; praises Kyler Murray \u2014 Brief","rank_math_description":"New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur declined to settle Arizona\u2019s QB spot after Kyler Murray\u2019s injury-hit 2025 (five games). Murray remains under contract for 2026 amid roster evaluation.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"mike lafleur, kyler murray, arizona cardinals, quarterback, 2026","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17776\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}