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The relationship between the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has been tumultuous at best despite flashes of potential brilliance. From […]
The relationship between the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has been tumultuous at best despite flashes of potential brilliance. From the infamous contract clause requiring Murray to watch game film, to a playoff appearance in 2021-22 that resulted in a five-year, $230.5 million extension, to playing just five games last season due to injury, Murray’s tenure with the Cardinals has definitely seem some ups and downs.
The Cardinals released Murray on Tuesday, March 3, ahead of the start of the 2026-27 league year, after finding no apparent trade suitors for Murray and his hefty contract.
Murray finishes his seven seasons in Arizona with 20,460 passing yards, 121 passing touchdowns, 60 interceptions, and and additional 32 touchdowns and 3,193 yards on the ground. Murray also leaves Arizona with a 38-48-1 record, finishing with a winning record as a starting quarterback only once in 2021 (9-5).
While Murray has certainly regressed from his career-best 2021 campaign, the 28-year-old quarterback still has plenty of talent left in the tank, and still ranks as a Top 32 quarterback in the NFL, even if he may be in the bottom half of that list. In other words, Murray should likely find a new home in 2026 to presumably become a starting quarterback once again.
We have at least nine potential suitors, and Murray might not slot in as the instant starter in every potential situation. So while Murray still has NFL starting-caliber potential, it will likely depend on where he lands.
Ideally, Murray will land with a team that believes the quarterback’s talents went to waste in Arizona, and that the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year still has the abilities that made him a first overall pick, he just needs the proper coaching tools and a competitive roster.
Rather than pure speculation, these nine potential landing spots come from DraftKings Sportsbook. Obviously, we’ll take their suggestions with a grain of salt and evaluate the validity of each landing spot.
Without further ado, here are some Landing Spots for Quarterback Kyler Murray in 2026 and if you’d like to debate or discuss any selections, join the conversation with Sakmann Sports on Twitter/X, on Facebook, or by commenting directly on this post!
Odds: +100
The New York Jets’ quarterback situation is both up in the air and lacking solid options: but hey, what else is new?
At time of writing, Justin Fields is still under contract for the Jets for 2026, but his likelihood to return as the starting quarterback is doubtful at best. Between poor play and injury, Fields never hit his stride with the Jets in 2025, and is a potential cut candidate this offseason.
Brady Cook and Tyrod Taylor are also not the answers as the Jets look to field a competitive roster in 2026.
Kyler Murray could essentially be a more polished version of Justin Fields: a dual-threat quarterback with more proven passing ability. Would Murray put the Jets over the hump? Almost certainly not, but he could be the best quarterback the Jets in nearly a decade if he plays well.
This move would also feel very Jets-esque. Murray isn’t in the twilight of his career, like Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, or Joe Flacco, who have all donned Jets-green, and won’t be as unwanted as Fields was last season. But still, Murray to the Jets feels like a natural fit, as New York continues to rotate their revolving door of quarterbacks, hoping this time might finally be different.
Odds: +200
The Minnesota Vikings were elite in 2024-25, with a 14-3 regular season record, but then foolishly let Sam Darnold walk in free agency, straight in to a Super Bowl win with the Seattle Seahawks in 2025-26. While the Vikings still retained talent across their roster, quarterback was a major position of concern in 2025 and could continue to be in 2026 if changes aren’t made.
I’m sorry, but 2024 first round pick J.J. McCarthy hasn’t shown anything encouraging enough to be the definitive Week 1 starter for the Vikings in 2026. Carson Wentz started a couple of games last year but is set to become a free agent, and second-year quarterback Max Brosmer will enter 2026 with zero touchdowns and four interceptions to his name.
Kyler Murray could quickly become the Week 1 starter with his veteran passing abilities, and possibly lead the Vikings back to playoff contention. In terms of “feel”, I’m not sure this would be a home run, as the Vikings have been liking pocket passers like Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold in recent years. Or perhaps the dual-threat ability of Murray is exactly what the Vikings need to give their offense a spark.
Odds: +300
Much like the Jets, the Miami Dolphins have a bit of a lame duck situation at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa has likely played his final snap as a Dolphin after six seasons. Statistically, Tagovailoa and Murray are actually pretty similar. Tagovailoa was drafted just a year after Murray, and both quarterbacks are currently 28 years old.
The biggest difference in career resumes that jumps off the page is Tagovailoa’s success as a starting quarterback: a 44-32 career record, and only one losing season as a starter over six seasons (last year; 6-8.)
Murray might not provide any tangible talent increase at the quarterback position for Miami. But if the Dolphins do move on from Tagovailoa, Murray could be a sensible replacement: Miami could also save a ton of money in the process if they’re able to trade Tagovailoa.
I almost wonder if Murray in Miami and Tagovailoa somehow finding his way to Arizona would make sense for both teams. Sometimes, a fresh change of scenery can completely change the trajectory of a career.
In short, the Dolphins wouldn’t get better at the quarterback position overnight by making this swap, but the Dolphins could gain financial flexibility and also rid themselves of Tagovailoa’s injury concerns.
Odds: +450
Lame duck, lame duck… goose! At time of writing, Kirk Cousins is still under contract for the Atlanta Falcons, but he is expected to be released by the start of the new league year.
The Falcons still have third-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as their potential starting Week 1 quarterback for 2026, but with a 3-6 record and a 60.1% completion rate last season, there’s no reason Atlanta shouldn’t bring in some veteran competition at the position.
This is about the spot on the list where Murray is no longer the “automatic” Week 1 starter but would rather have to earn a spot on the list.
I’m all for giving young quarterbacks time to develop and grow in-game, but on paper, I do think Murray would be a better starting quarterback if the Falcons want to win games off the bat in 2026.
Odds: +450
The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation is, was, and will continue to be a hot mess. After drafting and starting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders last year, Deshaun Watson is also set to return to the field in 2026 after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles.
With so many moving parts, I don’t think the Browns make sense as a landing spot for Murray, certainly not at the same odds at the Falcons.
Now, if Cleveland moves on from either Watson (I’m sure they’d love to but it’s nearly impossible with an $80.7 million cap hit) or Sanders (Cleveland has an obvious love-hate relationship with their Pro Bowl rookie quarterback) then the door could open up for Murray to fill out the quarterback room. But as currently constructed, the Browns have no reason to go after the former Cardinals quarterback.
Odds: +750
Further down the list, some of these teams hinge more on contingency plans. The Indianapolis Colts already placed a non-exclusive transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, meaning another team can swoop up Jones’ services if they’re willing to pay the price tag of roughly $37 million for one year. In all likelihood, Indiana Jones should be back with the Colts in 2026. But if a team does steal Jones away? Indianapolis is back to square one, once again, with Anthony Richardson, who missed most of last season with a mysterious injury, and Riley Leonard.
So yes, if Jones isn’t back in 2026, Murray would make a ton of sense as the next veteran quarterback to take the helm. But if Jones stays with the Colts, Murray will not end up getting any calls from Indianapolis.
Odds: +1200
Another contingency situation exists with the Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North title in 2025, and is expected back in 2026, but the future Hall of Famer will be 43 years old by the time the season is over.
Rodgers is expected back in 2026, but anything goes with this guy, as we’ve learned time and time again. But even assuming he does return, there could still be room for Murray on the Steelers’ roster: as a veteran backup, insurance for an aging quarterback, a potential quarterback of the future, and even a potential gadget play quarterback.
Murray on the Steelers would feel very much like Justin Fields on the Steelers: Pittsburgh going out of their way to obtain a quarterback with scrambling ability and upside.
If starting roles are on the table, I would expect Murray to gravitate towards them. But if Murray doesn’t find a home in the first round of 2026 NFL Free Agency, don’t sleep on the Steelers as a fallback plan.
Odds: +3500
Entering the longshots category, the Carolina Panthers already have a two-quarterback system. 2023 NFL Draft first overall pick Bryce Young is the starting quarterback, and though Carolina’s confidence in Young wavered early, the Panthers did make a playoff appearance with Young under center last season. Andy Dalton is a dependable backup quarterback on a cheap contract for 2026.
So there’s no inherent reason for the Panthers to contact Murray, at first glance. The only thing I could see is Murray, either as a backup or quarterback competition, replacing Dalton as a quarterback with a more similar play style to Young. As it stands, the Panthers offense has to shift from dual-threat Young to pocket-passer Dalton in times of injury.
Odds: +3500
While it’s also a longshot, I would give the Las Vegas Raiders a better chance at taking a flier on Murray than the Panthers. Now, the Raiders have Geno Smith on the roster, but absolutely nothing went right for Las Vegas last season, so I think major identity changes are on the table. I’m not quite sure what the Raiders would do with Smith, but if he hypothetically wasn’t on the roster, picking up Murray in the second stage of his career would feel like a very Raiders move.
If Kyler Murray signs with the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, or is tagged to replace Tua Tagavolia for the Miami Dolphins, then I could see him being a Week 1 starter for the 2026-27 NFL season. But say the Jets opt for a rookie quarterback, the Vikings go another direction, and the Dolphins can’t get rid of Tagovailoa: now, starting spots for Murray are quickly drying up.
That’s way I listed quite a few landing spots where Murray would be a surefire backup: while I think he has Top 32 NFL quarterback talent, there simply aren’t many openings right now. Of course, this could change towards the start of the new league year as more teams release veteran or struggling quarterbacks.
I would give it about a 50-50 chance that Murray is a starter at the beginning of next season, for these reasons. I’m comfortable going with the odds-on favorite and predicting that Murray signs with the New York Jets ahead of the 2026-27 NFL season. But if New York isn’t enamored with Murray, which is more than possible, then it quickly becomes anyone’s guess where the former first overall pick will land after being released by Arizona.
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