The writing is on the wall for Kyler Murray's time in Arizona.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in February that the Cardinals were exploring opportunities to trade their quarterback. With new head coach Mike LaFleur and massive cap savings possible by trading their $230.5 million quarterback, the Cardinals have an incentive to move on from Murray.
The timing would be perfect for Arizona as well. The quarterback free agent market is thin outside of the top names – Daniel Jones, Malik Willis and potentially Aaron Rodgers – and the same can be said about the quarterback class in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There are several teams that could be searching for a quarterback outside of the draft and free agency. These teams feel like the clearest potential landing spots for Murray in 2026:
Kyler Murray landing spots
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are in a very similar situation to the Cardinals entering the 2026 season. They also have a quarterback on their roster who recently signed a multi-year contract extension worth over $200 million that the team may already be looking to move on from.
In the same Schefter report that indicated Arizona was moving on from Murray, the ESPN insider also reported that the Dolphins were seeking trade partners for Tua Tagoavailoa, whom Miami benched near the end of the season. In addition to potentially moving on from Tagovailoa, the Dolphins have already moved on from former head coach Mike McDaniel, hiring Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their new head coach.
Trading for Murray could provide a clean slate for the former Cardinals quarterback and the Dolphins' offense. He'd get the change of scenery, and the Dolphins would get a new quarterback to work alongside new OC Bobby Slowik, the former senior passing game coordinator who was promoted to the offensive coordinator job.
Minnesota Vikings
The quarterback decision the Vikings made last offseason aged like milk on a beach. Not only did second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy struggle throughout his de facto rookie season, but the quarterback Minnesota let walk, Sam Darnold, won the Super Bowl in his first year with the Seattle Seahawks.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has proven his effectiveness in building an offense around quarterbacks with physical talent but other flaws. Joshua Dobbs, whom Minnesota actually acquired from the Cardinals in a midseason trade in 2023, managed to win his first game with the Vikings before he had ever participated in a practice. Darnold, who hadn't started more than 10 games in a season since 2021, led Minnesota to 14 wins in 17 starts in 2024.
The match between Murray, a quarterback who could benefit from a change of scenery, and the Vikings, a team that could benefit from more competent play behind center, could be a perfect one. If the Cardinals' veteran doesn't pan out with his new team, the Vikings could cut him next year and just eat $7 million in dead cap for 2027.
Atlanta Falcons
In 2025, the Falcons, like the Vikings, attempted to roll with a second-year quarterback who played in the 2024 CFP National Championship before getting drafted in the first round. And like the Vikings, that quarterback's season ended with mixed results. Michael Penix Jr. showed improvements in completion percentage and protecting the football, but he also took too many sacks and had a 3-6 record as a starter before his season ended early with a knee injury.
Given Penix's history of leg injuries – and the 6-2 record the Falcons had with Kirk Cousins after Penix's injury – Atlanta faces a crucial quarterback decision this offseason.
Murray could fit the Falcons as a veteran, mobile quarterback option for new head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense. He'd have the best cast of offensive weapons around him he's ever had between Drake London and Bijan Robinson. As with the other teams on the list, Murray's current contract could allow a prospective trade partner to view him as a bridge quarterback with a minimum dead cap hit in 2027 and a club option before the 2028 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Until Aaron Rodgers declares 1) he isn't retiring and 2) he's re-signing with the Steelers, Pittsburgh is stuck in quarterback limbo. While the Steelers have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on the roster, the two combined to start one game in 2025.
Murray is an option for the Steelers to exit quarterback limbo early in the offseason, avoiding the need to wait out Rodgers' decision. Pittsburgh can afford Murray, as the team ranks ninth in the NFL in cap space per OverTheCap, and has 12 draft picks in the 2026 draft, including projected compensation picks.
The Steelers have a chance for a major reset on offense with a new, offensive-minded head coach, Mike McCarthy, and a new offensive coordinator, Brian Angelichio, replacing Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith, respectively. A new face at quarterback could cap off that offensive refresh in 2026 to pair with receiver DK Metcalf and another wideout Pittsburgh will surely add via free agency or the draft this offseason.
New York Jets
The Jets struggled with their quarterback situation in 2025. Between Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and rookie Brady Cook, none provided confidence as a 2026 starting quarterback option for New York.
"Gang Green" is similar to Pittsburgh in that it has a plethora of draft picks to use in a trade and among the most cap space in the NFL. Murray could be an ideal bridge option for the Jets, given his contract situation as well, with his deal providing an out via a cut in 2027 or a declined team option ahead of 2028.
In addition, like the Steelers, New York has a new face at offensive coordinator in Frank Reich. Adding Murray could provide a similar offensive refresh to the one pitched for Pittsburgh with a new quarterback joining a new coordinator.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kyler Murray landing spots: Where Cardinals QB could play in 2026