The Arizona Cardinals just interviewed Ron Rivera for their vacant head coaching
position. The biggest question the team has to answer, though, isn’t about the coach,
but the quarterback. Is a Kyler Murray trade going to happen, and if so, what would the
Cardinals get in return?
The asking price isn’t especially high for the former first overall pick. According to
sources, Arizona is seeking a second or third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The
Cardinals would save almost $35 million in the upcoming year by trading Murray before
the draft. His new team would undoubtedly restructure what’s left of his $250 million
contract.
What team out there has some cap space and need for a quarterback? He could
potentially be used as a stopgap for a team like Las Vegas, but his preferred destination
would likely be somewhere he would have a chance to start. His biggest issue is health,
not ability. When he plays, Murray is electric.
Kyler Murray Through The Years
It’s by sheer happenstance that Murray ended up in the NFL. He had been a top draft
pick by the Oakland Athletics and signed a lucrative deal with them. At the time, he was
the backup quarterback for Oklahoma, and the A’s allowed him to play out his final year
because it would be his first chance to start. He won the Heisman.
In 87 games for the Cardinals, he has completed 67.1% of his passes for 235.2 yards
per game. He has 121 touchdowns and 50 interceptions, for a career passer rating of
92.2. He’s added nearly 3,200 yards rushing (6.0 yards per carry) and 32 touchdowns
on the ground. He would be a day one starter for a quarter of the teams in the league
right now.
Kyler Murray’s Suitors
JJ McCarthy has yet to play a full season, and this past year he only completed 57.6%
of his passes. The Vikings always have a solid defense, and are a year removed from
going 14-3. Could he be wearing purple next year?
The New York Jets are quarterback hell. Anyone who goes there is bound te fail,
whether they are a top pick (Zach Wilson) or a veteran they signed (Aaron Rodgers).
Murray may not be enough to save that franchise (Jets are always gonna Jet), but he’;s
better than what they have now.
The Cleveland Browns would be a prime candidate for Murray, except the owner loves
Shedeur Sanders. New head coach Todd Monken would love to get his hands on
Murray, who is a miniature version of Lamar Jackson with a better arm. Murray would be
great insurance for Washington, but they’d have to give up valuable trade capital for a
backup.
The best option is, of course, Pittsburgh. They just got a new coach in Mike McCarthy
and are championship-ready right now. They made the playoffs with Aaron Rodgers,
and Murray is far superior when healthy. The question would be, could he survive the
cold?
