Let's break down five trade destinations for Kyler Murray if the Arizona Cardinals decide to kick off a rebuild.
The Arizona Cardinals are in a difficult position. In 2022, they finished with an underwhelming 4-13 record (second-worst in the NFC). During the offseason, they lost several key players including wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, defensive ends JJ Watt and Zach Allen, cornerback Byron Murphy, and guard Justin Pugh.
There are still talented individual players on this roster such as Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker and deep-threat wide receiver Marquise Brown. However, the Cardinals' roster simply lacks the depth to catapult them into real contention.
Quarterback Kyler Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension in 2022. That deal will officially begin in 2024. His raw talent is apparent. In four seasons, he has recorded 84 passing touchdowns and 23 rushing touchdowns, but questions remain.
Since entering the league in 2019, Murray has posted a quarterback rating of 92.5, which is 22nd in the NFL (minimum 200 pass attempts). In addition, the Cardinals have yet to win a playoff game during Murray's tenure.
Can Murray sustain elite quarterback play for an extended period of time? Will he need an All-Pro supporting cast to lead Arizona to the Super Bowl? These are not the type of questions you want to ask about a $230.5 million quarterback.
Trading Murray in 2024 is the most likely outcome for the Cardinals, per ESPN's Dan Graziano [subscription required].
"[The Cardinals] have to find a solution to the Murray contract problem next offseason, ideally convincing some other team to take him off their hands and help defray the dead-money cost as Arizona moves on to a future without him."
Moving Murray's contract would allow the Cardinals the flexibility to launch a full space rebuild. Despite the concerns, he is talented enough to draw interest around the league. Here are five potential trade destinations.
NFL Rumors: 5 trade destinations for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
5. Los Angeles Rams
From Jalen Ramsey to Matthew Stafford, the Rams love making splashy trades.
Stafford struggled with injuries in 2022. In nine games, he posted an 87.4 quarterback rating, which was his lowest single-season mark since 2014. Entering his 15th NFL season, there are longevity concerns for the Super Bowl Champion, but with four years left on his deal, the Rams could have a difficult time moving on from the veteran.
If Stafford underperforms in 2023, the Rams could look to make a move at quarterback. A Rams trade could be the most appealing option for the Cardinals. If they take back Stafford's contract in the deal, they could persuade the Rams to offer them higher draft compensation.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million contract this offseason, but that does not exclude them from pursuing Murray in 2024. Last season, the Raiders finished with a disappointing 6-11 record. In a loaded AFC, they could be out of the playoff race, once again. This season, the Raiders will have the second-toughest schedule in the entire NFL, per Sharp Football Analysis.
In addition, Garoppolo's contract offers a potential out in 2025. According to Spotrac, they could cut him without incurring any dead cap. If they want to move on from him in 2024, he should have value as a trade asset. In a potential Murray trade, they could send him back to Arizona as a potential bridge quarterback.
If the Raiders want to make a run at Murray, the path is surprisingly clear.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings will have a pivotal decision to make during the 2024 offseason. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is scheduled to hit free agency. He is in the midst of an underrated run in Minnesota, earning three Pro Bowl nods in five years. Since 2018, he is fourth in the NFL in passing touchdowns (153), trailing only Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady.
Still, Cousins has been unable to lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship, and he will be 36 years old in 2024. Is the front office willing to give him a long-term contract? Remember, the franchise drafted quarterback Kellen Mond in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. That was an interesting choice for a team that was "set" at quarterback.
If the Vikings fall short this season, they could look to shake things up under center. Murray is a natural fit.
2. Washington Commanders
2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell has won the team's starting job. At North Carolina, he flashed intriguing dual-threat upside. As a junior, he threw for 3,056 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while rushing for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 22-year-old could prove to be the franchise quarterback, but if not, the Commanders should become a prime landing spot for Murray.
Since 2018, the Commanders have deployed many starting quarterbacks (Alex Smith, Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Carson Wentz), but they did not find a long-term fit. Trading for Murray would finally give them a focal point to build around. With $64.4 million in 2024 cap space, they are well-positioned to make a deal.
1. New England Patriots
This one is a no-brainer. The Patriots will boast a league-high $82.9 million in 2024 cap space, per Spotrac.
Mac Jones had an encouraging rookie season in 2021, throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He was even selected to the Pro Bowl.
However, Jones took a step back in 2022, throwing for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He declined in several key metrics including completion percentage, touchdown percentage, yards per pass attempt, quarterback rating, and on-target percentage.
It is too soon to write Jones off as a top-level NFL starter. He is still 24 years old and entering his third NFL season. In addition, he dealt with an ankle injury last season, which could have impacted his performance.
Nevertheless, 2023 will be a monumental year for his future with the Patriots. If he underperforms, the front office can be aggressive next offseason and target a big-name quarterback. Murray's athleticism and speed give him a higher ceiling than Jones. If the Patriots want to move into contention, they could roll the dice and take a big swing by trading for Murray.