Cardinals predicted to replace Kyler Murray with quarterback playing in CFP

The Arizona Cardinals will likely move on from quarterback Kyler Murray in the 2026 season, looking for a new direction for the team. 

Murray should still have his chance to be a starting quarterback somewhere in the league. The Cardinals, who took Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, have missed the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. It's clear that the team needs a new option. 

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports believes that the solution to that will be for the team to select Ty Simpson out of Alabama. In his most recent mock draft, Wilson has the Cardinals taking Simpson with the No. 5 overall pick. 

"Simpson is a big-armed pocket passer who plays with composure and outstanding mental processing both before and after the snap. He plays with an aggressive confidence and excels at navigating muddy pockets, throwing accurately on short and intermediate routes, and ripping tight-window throws with anticipation -- though he has been historically inconsistent on deep balls. Simpson is athletic enough to buy time with his legs to extend plays and move the sticks", wrote Wilson. 

Simpson would be the third quarterback taken in this particular draft, behind Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas) and Dante Moore (N.Y. Jets). A five-star recruit out of Tennessee in high school, Simpson is in his fourth season with the Crimson Tide, where he has led them to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. 

In his career at Alabama, 2025 was the only year in which he was the starter. He has thrown for 3,500 yards with 28 touchdowns and only five interceptions on the season. But that one year as a starter has convinced many NFL scouts and draft analysts that he will be a star at the professional level. 

Quarterbacks drafted in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals

Simpson has a strong arm, but it's not an elite arm. Where he will impress teams is with his pre-snap abilities to recognize coverages and make proper adjustments. He's an intelligent player who has a quick release and terrific accuracy on his throws. 

Much of what the Cardinals do at the quarterback position will depend on who is the head coach in 2026. Jonathan Gannon is still the head coach and despite a horrendous 2025 season, it does seem like there is a good chance he will be back in 2026. 

That may be tough for much of the fanbase to digest, but if he stays, does he like what he sees in Simpson or would be prefer a different passer?

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