The Arizona Cardinals have informed quarterback Kyler Murray that they intend to release him, barring a trade. The Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins could be potential landing spots for him.
This creates an interesting opportunity for QB-needy teams that are also strapped by the salary cap. Arizona is paying the $36.8 million owed to Murray this season and will eat a $54 million dead cap hit overall.
The Vikings are quietly in the mix for Murray, and it makes sense. They have young weapons, a good defense, and a need for QB competition insurance between him and JJ McCarthy. It is a low-risk swing if they can get him on a prove-it deal.
Murray is the best QB on this list for the 2026 season, and the only one who realistically has a chance to be the long-term answer. His being available for the vet min makes it a no-brainer. He could have a redemption arc, like QB Sam Darnold, and head coach Kevin O’Connell could correct his entire trajectory.
This trade would be the best thing to happen for both Murray and the Jets. Having running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson will be a great start. Also, Murray does not have to be the long-term answer. He could be a stopgap unless he plays his way up to being a long-term answer. Adding him and drafting Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson would be a great compliment.
Quarterback Justin Fields was New York’s QB1 this past season. Murray is better than what they have had at the position, including Zach Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. If they hit on the defensive side with a few picks, maybe this team will look competitive by the end of the season.
A Steelers trade for Murray could reshape the QB market, cap space, and the 2026 draft, whether Rodgers returns or not. A Murray-Mike McCarthy pairing would prompt a major domino effect across teams and contracts.
Pittsburgh does not really have a choice. It comes down to who it drafts or the other options at QB, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Former head coach Mike Tomlin is gone. There is nothing else attractive about the Steelers that would make a player want to play there.
The Falcons need someone to start while starting QB Michael Penix is recovering. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is going to use a run-heavy offense for running back Bijan Robinson, so Murray will not have to do much. Atlanta has two great options in tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been a popular choice for Atlanta alongside Murray. They are both cheap this year and get hurt all the time.
The Dolphins likely do not want to spend a lot on a QB this season, so there is a possibility they could get Murray on the vet minimum. There is a chance that Tagovailoa could be released.
Murray is talented enough to elevate the players around him with his out-of-structure playmaking ability. He would make Miami watchable, and it would be able to sell tickets with him at the helm while the Dolphins rebuild their roster.
Murray’s impending release creates a sense of urgency for potential suitors. He has elite skills, and his experience still makes him an attractive trade target despite Arizona’s desire to move on.
This ended a seven-year run that started with Murray going No. 1 overall in 2019. He left with a 38-48-1 record as the Cardinals starter and just one playoff appearance, a wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
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