Evaluating the Arizona Cardinals Options at Starting Quarterback
The Arizona Cardinals have yet another offseason decision to make. Who will be the starting quarterback in 2026? Kyler Murray has requested a release from the Cardinals. Releasing Murray would leave the Cardinals with a dead cap hit of $54.7 million. Murray will most likely be dealt in a trade. Leaving the Cardinals with no confirmed starting QB and room to acquire a possible franchise QB for the 2026 season. Drafting a QB is not a reliable option, as the 2026 NFL Draft is widely regarded as having limited quarterback depth.
About eight NFL teams are currently looking for a new starting QB, including Arizona. If the Cardinals were to trade Murray, they could look into QB Justin Fields. Fields was the starter with the New York Jets and could use a fresh start on a team with solid weapons. In the 2025 season, the former first-rounder played in nine games, finishing with 1,259 passing yards, seven touchdowns, one interception, and a completion percentage of 62.7. Showing some true flashes last season, he could be a win-now option for Arizona. While the Jets QB is currently still under contract, they could seek to trade for him. A second trade scenario that is less likely would be a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins for Tua Tagovailoa. The former Alabama QB was not the answer for the Dolphins and had a questionable 2025 season as a starter. Tagovailoa recorded 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns to 15 interceptions, and a completion rate of 67.7. The main concern surrounding the Dolphins QB is the TD-to-interception rate, along with his lengthy concussion history. Which makes it less than likely that the Cardinals will opt to trade for Tagovailoa.
The ideal situation for the Cardinals may be to deal away Murray for solid defensive players or draft picks, then find a QB through free agency. The Cardinals reportedly have shown interest in former Liberty University QB Malik Willis. Originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans, Willis served as the backup to Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers for the past two years. In two seasons with the Packers, Willis recorded 980 passing yards, three touchdowns to two interceptions, and a completion percentage of 63. A big upside for the Packers backup is his mobility; in nine games played, he recorded 390 rushing yards and three rushing TD’s. Willis has a strong arm and great mobility, which are two attributes the Cardinals could use on offense. If the Cardinals were looking for a veteran QB, they could pursue Kirk Cousins, who is likely to be cut by the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. In the span of ten games as the starter, Cousins recorded 1,721 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and five interceptions, and a completion percentage of 61.7. The Falcons QB could be a short-term option for Arizona as he is nearing age 37 and has shown to be extremely injury-prone
Murray's time in the desert is likely over. Now it's time for the Cardinals to find a new QB after seven years. While there are many options to choose from, it is unlikely they will be able to trade Murray for a new QB like Tagovailoa. Free agency seems like the most probable option for the Cardinals, and Willis looks to be the frontrunner for Arizona. The Cardinals' decision at QB depends on whether they are seeking to rebuild or start winning now.
