Best 2026 Landing Spots for Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kyler Murray

It certainly sounds like the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray are heading towards a split.

The Cardinals drafted Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, allowing them to move off of Josh Rosen, who they had selected in the first round the year prior.

While Murray has delivered plenty of highlights in Arizona and signed a five-year extension in 2022, he has only reached the NFL Playoffs once. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a separation between Murray and the Cardinals is imminent.

That would allow one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in NFL history to have his own shot at revival.

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield found new life with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sam Darnold looks like one of the best quarterbacks in the league with the Seattle Seahawks, and Daniel Jones has been the story of this season.

Undoubtedly, another NFL team will take a chance at reviving Murray’s career. He’s just 27 years old and has shown enough promise. Let’s take a look at what that might look like.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers might just be perpetually too good to rebuild.

At some point, they should probably draft a long-term answer at quarterback, even if it’s not within the top 10 picks in the draft.

But the bandage quarterbacks have been good enough for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to keep stacking winning seasons. Last year, he did it with a combination of Russell Wilson (who has already been benched by the New York Giants) and Justin Fields (who is primed to be benched by the New York Jets).

This year, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is bringing enough juice to Pittsburgh’s offense to make them a playoff contender in the AFC. But they might not be a threat to do anything in the actual playoffs.

Murray is not a stereotypical AFC North quarterback, but neither is Lamar Jackson — and he turned out alright.

New York Jets

Speaking of Fields likely being benched by the Jets… this could be another landing spot for Murray.

The Jets sold defensive cornerstones Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner for three first-round picks at the NFL trade deadline.

While that war chest of draft picks would make New York primed to draft their own quarterback and build around him, perhaps they give Murray a shot at redemption in 2026. That would allow them to properly assess their rebuild and potentially commit to drafting their own quarterback in the 2027 draft class, where the Jets will have three first-round picks.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are a complete mess right now.

They already fired their general manager, and head coach Mike McDaniel looks like a dead man walking. Similarly to Murray’s situation in Arizona, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has probably overstayed his welcome.

With Tyreek Hill likely moving on, the Dolphins listened to offers for Jaylen Waddle at the deadline. They moved pass rusher Jaelen Phillips and could likely flip Bradley Chubb.

While gutting their roster isn’t going to set the new regime up for success, it also would not be a conducive environment for a rookie quarterback. Trying to revive Murray could be the best bet in Miami.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders seemingly swung and missed on Geno Smith, the quarterback that revived his career with the Seahawks.

Despite a 2-7 record, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said winning remains the objective in Vegas. Smith will still be on their books next season, but that might not stop the 74-year-old head coach from snagging another quarterback.

The Raiders will need to bulk up their receiver room after trading Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Spending their first-round pick on a wideout like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate to play alongside tight end Brock Bowers and first-round running back Ashton Jeanty would be properly building an offense around Murray.