Arizona Cardinals · Franchise era 7 of 7
The Kyler Murray reset: the Arizona Cardinals story
The story in one sentence
Murray's rare movement and arm talent produced a rapid playoff return, but the franchise has continued rebuilding around him through coaching and roster changes.
A new quarterback restarts the search
Kyler Murray, Budda Baker and James Conner gave the era its recognizable core.
Its final meaning is still being written.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2018
What came before
Bruce Arians unlocked Palmer's best late-career football and built a 13-win team that reached the 2015 NFC Championship Game.
- 20TradeMarch 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
The trade that sent DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona
The Cardinals wanted an elite target for Kyler Murray; Houston chose a running back and draft capital rather than extend its All-Pro receiver.
To ARI2020PICKround asset
To HOU20202NDround asset2021PICKround assetDeAndre Hopkins to ArizonaARI receives DeAndre Hopkins, 2020 fourth-round pickHOU receives David Johnson, 2020 2nd-round pick, 2021 fourth-round pick5 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2022-01-17
Wild Card: Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams
Still unfolding
Where the story stands
This chapter remains active, so its final place in franchise history is still being written.
The core