The Arizona Cardinals went into the 2025 NFL Season with pretty big expectations, as they shored up roster weaknesses along the defensive line and were coming off a solid eight-win season. After a 2-0 start, things were pointing up.
But Arizona has since cratered, and during the losing streak, Kyler Murray's future became unclear. This foot injury he's been dealing with will also now keep him out for the rest of the 2025 season, which some have confidently said will be his last with the franchise:
#AZCardinals QB Kyler Murray is not expected to play again this season, as he’s not progressing as hoped, per coach Jonathan Gannon. pic.twitter.com/YTrPzhJLDs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2025
The Cardinals feel motivated to trade Murray and start fresh, as he was really nothing more than an average QB for the team, but he does have a dual-threat profile and can shown signs of greatness at times. Murray is one of the 15-20 best QBs in the NFL and is going to start somewhere in 2026.
But the biggest question is where that is going to be. Let's whip up a few logical trade destinations for the veteran QB.
Could one of these three teams swing a trade for Kyler Murray?
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have botched the QB position for years now, so it would only make sense that they make another notable move at the position. Murray could be a solid placeholder for a few seasons and at least give the franchise some average stability at the position.
The idea here is that the Steelers eventually draft a potential long-term replacement and don't continue to invest into Murray longer than they need to. The Aaron Rodgers signing has been fine, as it's really been the defense that has brought the team down.
But adding a younger QB in Kyler Murray is still something that could be attractive for a franchise that has not found a legitimate replacement since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
Murray would comfortably be the third-best QB in the division, but perhaps a fresh start is what he needs to unlock a new level of play?
New York Jets
The New York Jets are another team that is desperate for just competent QB play. The team signed Justin Fields this offseason, and he ended up only being the second-best QB on the roster, as Tyrod Taylor could have filled in just fine in 2025.
Anyway, the Jets should totally reset the QB room in 2026, and with the extra NFL Draft capital they have from the major Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades, parting with a pick or two for Kyler Murray could not hurt.
The AFC East is not a bad division, but it's not a great one, and the Jets could deploy Murray as the starter for a few seasons why GM Darren Mougey beefs up the roster with all that extra draft capital he has. Perhaps more than any other team, the Jets would be the most desperate for average play at the position.
With the Jets also being a run-heavy team, this could play into Murray's strengths. Mougey could swing this trade and still have an eye on the future. With all those first-round picks he now has, taking a QB high in the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft should be on the table.
Minnesota Vikings
We haven't really talked about Kyler Murray's contract - it's tradeable, and there really should be no issue there. One team that could be the most desperate of all is the Minnesota Vikings, as they seemed to make every misstep possible at the QB position.
First-round pick JJ McCarthy has been hurt a lot and has also simply been horrendous. You get the sense that the Vikings may have a playoff mandate in 2026, so GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might have to turn the aggression up a notch to find something of note at QB.
While Kyler Murray might be an over-the-top swing, he'd land in a largely decent situation and would have some great weapons to use, so this fit could make sense.
Where should Kyler Murray be traded?