Groups that might be purchasing for a brand new franchise quarterback this offseason should not rely on discovering one within the 2026 NFL Draft.
On his updated QB board, ESPN’s Jordan Reid lists simply two QBs (Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza) as true first-rounders. With that in thoughts, groups ought to take into account buying and selling for a QB, like Arizona Cardinals star Kyler Murray.
On Wednesday, the 3-5 Cardinals positioned Murray — who hasn’t performed since Week 5 due to a foot harm — on injured reserve. Jacoby Brissett is ready to stay the staff’s starter. That transfer might sign they’re heading for a divorce this offseason. If Arizona locations him on the buying and selling block when the window reopens in March 2026, listed below are three groups that ought to goal the 2019 No. 1 total decide.
The Jets (1-7) could possibly be positioning themselves to take a QB within the 2026 draft after holding a fire sale earlier than the commerce deadline handed on Tuesday. However ought to a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs for the reason that 2010 season roll the cube on Moore or Mendoza, prospects with questions?
Moore has tried simply 424 passes in three seasons at Oregon and UCLA. Mendoza, in the meantime, might lack the mobility wanted to achieve the trendy NFL. He has rushed for 220 yards on 50 carries in 9 video games this season.
Murray is much like Jets QB Justin Fields, however he would not undergo from the identical accuracy issues. The 2-time Professional Bowler has accomplished 1,974-of-2,941 passes (67.1%) in seven seasons with Arizona. Fields has accomplished 791-of-1,286 passes (61.5%) in 5 seasons with the Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears.
Just lately benched QB Spencer Rattler is not the reply for the Saints (1-8). Regardless of a restricted pattern dimension, the identical could possibly be stated for rookie QB Tyler Shough. The previous Louisville star has logged a subpar 34.6 QBR in three video games and has a 0-1 beginning report.
A cell QB in Murray — who has 3,193 profession speeding yards — would go well with Saints rookie head coach Kellen Moore’s system. He was the Eagles OC in 2024. That season, Eagles sixth-year QB Jalen Hurts had the third-most speeding yards (630 in 15 video games) in his profession.
If the Saints acquired Murray, they may use their first-round decide to enhance their protection, which is tied for twenty fourth within the league in factors allowed (27 PPG). They may choose an edge-rusher, maybe Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. Pro Football Focus credits him with the fourth-most pressures (44 in eight video games) within the FBS.
Regardless of signing him to a two-year, $85.5M contract extension in April, the Raiders might already wish to ditch QB Geno Smith. By way of the primary 9 weeks of the season, he and Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa led the league in interceptions thrown (11).
Backup QB Kenny Pickett would not give the Raiders a viable alternative. The previous Steelers/Eagles dud has thrown 15 TD passes and 14 interceptions in 4 seasons.
Having a franchise QB is essential within the AFC West, the place Patrick Mahomes (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs), Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) await twice a yr. Murray flashed star potential in his first three seasons, incomes two Professional Bowl choices. Maybe Vegas HC Pete Carroll, a Tremendous Bowl champion, might assist the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the 12 months get again on observe.
