TEMPE — After seven seasons in Arizona and one playoff appearance to show for it, the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray appear to be heading toward a split this offseason.
The recent optics have only added to that thinking, with Jacoby Brissett orchestrating a much more efficient offense, highlighted by more chunk plays, more points and a higher third-down conversion rate.
Dump some national reporting on the blaze — including one source telling ESPN’s Adam Schefter “a separation is imminent” — and it’d be more surprising to see him stick around than head elsewhere at this point.
As for where elsewhere might be, there are definitely options, whether it be via trade (which seems unlikely) or following a release.
Potential landing spots for Kyler Murray this offseason
At the top of the list sit the 2-7 New York Jets.
Currently sitting fifth in the 2026 NFL Draft order and owners of five first-round picks across the next two years, the Jets are very much looking to the future.
Trading away Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner at the deadline were just the latest examples of the reset taking place.
You know who else isn’t expected to be a part of that re-do? Quarterback Justin Fields, who is sporting a 35.6 QBR this season after already looking like a placeholder before taking a snap for the Jets.
The feeling is similar for the Las Vegas Raiders and their current starter Geno Smith.
The veteran has struggled in his first year with Las Vegas behind a 2-7 mark and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 11-12.
And while he’s fresh off inking a two-year contract extension following the trade from Seattle to Sin City, the Raiders need a contingency plan sooner rather than later.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll knows a thing or two about getting the best out of quarterbacks under six feet. Before his current stint as the New York Giants backup, Russell Wilson got it done in Seattle under Carroll.
As for the Carolina Panthers, they must decide whether or not they want to pick up quarterback Bryce Young’s fifth-year option by the Jan. 5 deadline.
But after putting together a 11-26 mark as a starter in three years of work, that decision may have already been made.
The dead money hit with a release wouldn’t be enormous ($12 million), and there’s always the chance Young is given the opportunity to compete in Year 4, but it’s clear change is needed.
Opting for a veteran signal caller looking to revive his career could be the best option for the Panthers, who are only three years removed from trading a pair of first-rounders and second-rounders plus wide receiver D.J. Moore for the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 used on Young.
And currently sitting 16th in the 2026 NFL Draft order, the Panthers will have to sit and wait for the QB-needy teams ahead of them.
As it stands Thursday, there are five or six teams higher on the draft board that could realistically snag a quarterback next draft.
Going the route of a reclamation project at signal caller could be an intriguing avenue, especially given the recent success stories that head coach Dave Canales has been a part of (Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay)
But you know what team would be really interesting (albeit more unlikely)? The Minnesota Vikings.
Now, there’s likely no way the Vikings trade for Murray outright. But if they can land him on a team-friendly, prove-it deal, there is potential for a pairing.
J.J. McCarthy has only appeared in four games due to injury the past two years. And while he’s shown flashes in that sample size and is expected to be the starter down the line, his injury history and inconsistencies shine brighter.
Having a veteran option at the ready is key and that’s before mentioning the quarterback whispering side to it.
After getting the most out of Sam Darnold last year, who turned that performance into a nice pay day in Seattle, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see head coach Kevin O’Connell take on another reclamation project in Murray.
Two more of the outside-the-box options include the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams (gulp) for obvious reasons:
Both of their quarterbacks are getting up there in age!
From Pittsburgh’s standpoint, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be 42 this December and playing on a one-year deal.
Rodgers has the Steelers sitting atop the division currently and has thrown 18 touchdowns to seven interceptions, but after logging 21 NFL seasons, how much more does he really have in the tank?
If he hangs it up, the Steelers are a team to watch when it comes to signing a veteran starter as opposed to adding a rookie through the draft.
In L.A., quarterback Matthew Stafford is still carving up opposing defenses behind his league-leading 25 passing touchdowns.
Those back issues everyone talked about at the beginning of the season don’t appear to be hindering his play one bit.
But after all that back and forth this offseason over his health, it makes you wonder how much longer he’s going to suit it up.
The Rams have some added first-round draft capital in 2026 but could also go the veteran route for a quick transition.
Sean McVay is pretty good about getting the best out of his quarterbacks, too. After all, L.A. was really where Mayfield’s redemption arc started forming in 2022.