Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks at the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Getty
The Cardinals GM gave no hints on the plan with Kyler Murray this offseason.
The Arizona Cardinals are in a difficult quarterback situation. With Kyler Murray expected to depart the desert in the next few weeks, the Cardinals must find a quarterback of the future.
Free agent quarterback Malik Willis was rumored to be the main target for Arizona during the Combine, according to NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry.
However, Arizona could be going in a different and unexpected direction at the position.
According to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, the Cardinals “have their eye on Jimmy Garoppolo”.
“Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort helped draft Garoppolo for the Patriots in 2014, and new coach Mike LaFleur and Garoppolo spent the last two years with the Rams,” Volin wrote.
Would This Make Sense for the Arizona Cardinals?
Willis has the higher upside; nobody can argue that. Garoppolo, entering his age-35 season, has more starting experience.
But do the Cardinals really need another veteran at this point?
With veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett already on the roster, this would be a confusing move by the organization.
Brissett went 1-11, albeit with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Yes, the connections to LaFleur and Ossenfort are certainly there. But it doesn’t necessarily make sense to make this move.
Garoppolo has 64 starts in his 12-year NFL career, going 43-21. With 96 touchdowns and 52 interceptions, he has rarely looked like an above-average player. However, he has the playoff experience, with a 4-2 record, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2019.
While Willis has just six career starts, he displays more athleticism and arm strength than Garoppolo ever has.
So what could be holding Arizona back from signing Willis? Could it be money?
Garoppolo has a market value of $2.3 million, per Spotrac. Willis, on the other hand, has a $35.5 million market value.
The age difference and upside are the reasons for Willis having that high of a price tag, coupled with the weak market for quarterbacks.
But is $35.5 million worth it for a quarterback with very little experience?
If the price tag is the only thing holding back Arizona from getting a quarterback of the future this offseason, that would anger fans and would signal another rough season in 2026.
If Garoppolo is Signed, What Does This Mean for Future Plans?
Outside of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, this draft is especially weak at the position. The free agent market isn’t much better, with Willis being the highest-ranked free agent at quarterback.
If Garoppolo is signed, it would signal that the Cardinals are content with waiting until next offseason for a better draft and free agent pool.
While it could solidify the position for the immediate future, Garoppolo is unlikely to lead an Arizona team with many holes to the playoffs.
Quarterback was not the only position holding back the Cardinals in 2025, and barring anything unexpected, will not be in 2026.
The 2027 draft will be rich in the quarterback position. If the Cardinals stick with Brissett or sign Garoppolo, they would have a top pick once again in the draft, more than likely.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Texas’ Arch Manning and others will be available in next year’s draft.
If the Cardinals are looking towards the future, this could be a good move. However, it will come at the angst of fans who just suffered through a 3-14 season.